France's Uini Atonio in action against Ireland in the Six Nations last March at the Aviva Stadium. Photo: Seb Daly/SportsfileFrench rugby has been rocked by news that veteran tighthead prop Uini Atonio has been forced to retire from rugby after suffering a ‘cardiac event’ earlier this week. The La Rochelle giant had been named in France’s Six Nations squad and was set to face Ireland in Paris next week, however, he was admitted to hospital yesterday where a heart problem was detected.

Source: Irish Independent January 28, 2026 15:59 UTC