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France rugby player Uini Atonio’s career over after being hospitalized with serious heart issue

On Tuesday, Uini Atonio, the 35-year-old France prop, was admitted to La Rochelle Hospital Centre after a suspected heart problem, and La Rochelle said tests confirmed a cardiac event ending his career.
After feeling chest pain during the warm-up, Atonio withdrew from the Clermont Auvergne match on Sunday and was withdrawn from France's squad on Monday.
La Rochelle said his condition is stable and he remains under observation in intensive care, adding `Uini holds a special place in the history and heart of our club` and he faces a long convalescence.
To cover Atonio's absence, the France national team called up Georges-Henri Colombe and added Alexandre Roumat, with Paul Boudehent withdrawing ahead of their February 5 Six Nations opener.
Across a 15-year La Rochelle career Uini Atonio played 286 matches, earned 68 caps for France national team, and helped secure Six Nations titles including the 2022 Grand Slam and 2025 win.

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