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Six Nations star in intensive care and forced to end career after heart attack

A France Six Nations star has been forced to retire from the sport after suffering a heart attack

[Uini Atonio]

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Uini Atonio(Image: Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)

The rugby union community has been left stunned after France prop Uini Atonio suffered a heart attack. The 35-year-old is currently in intensive care and has been forced to retire from the sport with immediate effect.

Atonio was named in Fabien Galthie's 42-man squad for the forthcoming Six Nations, with France's campaign kicking off in just over a week against Ireland on Thursday night. But he will now miss the tournament entirely after his club, La Rochelle, confirmed he had been taken to hospital on Tuesday.

The club stated that medical tests revealed a "heart attack". While his condition has stabilised, he remains in intensive care under observation and faces a "long period of convalescence". Atonio has already been informed that his playing days are over.

"Uini Atonio was admitted yesterday to the La Rochelle Hospital Center following a suspected heart problem," La Rochelle's statement read.

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"Medical examinations confirmed a cardiac event. His condition is now stable, and he remains in intensive care under observation.

"Following his hospitalization, Uini will have to undergo a long period of convalescence. It is now established that he will not be able to continue his playing career.

"Uini holds a special place in the history and in the heart of our Club. This news deeply saddens us. The entire Club wishes to express its unwavering and total support to him and his family during this difficult time."

The New Zealand-born tighthead joined La Rochelle in 2011, having previously turned out for Counties Manukau. Despite representing Samoa U20s, Atonio qualified for France through residency and earned his first cap against Fiji in 2014.

[Uini Atonio's career is over]

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Uini Atonio's career is over(Image: Getty Images)

Atonio had withdrawn from La Rochelle's clash with Clermont at the weekend, with reports suggesting it was a suspected chest muscle injury.

On Tuesday, France called up his club teammate Georges-Henri Colombe as cover for Atonio.

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