French prop Uini Atonio's rugby career has been cut short due to a "cardiac event", forcing him to retire from the sport at the age of 35. The news came as a shock to his teammates, particularly Gael Fickou, who paid tribute to Atonio, describing him as an "incredible player with an extraordinary physique and amazing qualities".
Atonio's sudden illness has raised concerns about the prevalence of cardiac issues among rugby players. Professor Daniel Augustine, medical director of Sports Cardiology UK, suggests that sport may bring pre-existing heart conditions to the surface, rather than causing them.
The 23-year-old prop won 68 caps for France and was part of their 2022 Grand Slam-winning side. He started all five games in their title-winning Six Nations campaign in 2025. Atonio's retirement is a significant blow to French rugby, and his teammates are mourning the loss of a talented player who left an indelible mark on the sport.
Fickou, who has faced Atonio in several matches for both club and country, described him as "the best French prop we've ever had". Hooker Jamie George also paid tribute to Atonio, describing him as a "huge competitor on the field and a great man" who will be deeply missed by the rugby community.
Atonio's retirement highlights the growing concern about cardiac issues in professional sports. The demands of the Test game, combined with increasing player sizes and weights, have raised questions about the long-term health implications for rugby players.
Atonio's sudden illness has raised concerns about the prevalence of cardiac issues among rugby players. Professor Daniel Augustine, medical director of Sports Cardiology UK, suggests that sport may bring pre-existing heart conditions to the surface, rather than causing them.
The 23-year-old prop won 68 caps for France and was part of their 2022 Grand Slam-winning side. He started all five games in their title-winning Six Nations campaign in 2025. Atonio's retirement is a significant blow to French rugby, and his teammates are mourning the loss of a talented player who left an indelible mark on the sport.
Fickou, who has faced Atonio in several matches for both club and country, described him as "the best French prop we've ever had". Hooker Jamie George also paid tribute to Atonio, describing him as a "huge competitor on the field and a great man" who will be deeply missed by the rugby community.
Atonio's retirement highlights the growing concern about cardiac issues in professional sports. The demands of the Test game, combined with increasing player sizes and weights, have raised questions about the long-term health implications for rugby players.
. I mean, think about it - all these young athletes pushing themselves to be better, and then BAM! They develop a heart condition out of nowhere. It's like our bodies are just not designed for this level of physicality anymore.
. Are they doing enough to prevent these cardiac events? Should we be holding sports organizations more accountable for player safety? I mean, we're always talking about the importance of transparency and accountability in politics, but what about in our healthcare systems?
. We need to be asking ourselves: what can we do to prevent these cardiac events? What kind of support system should we put in place for athletes who are struggling with their health? It's time to get real about our priorities and make some changes! 
. 35 is way too young to be hanging up your boots, especially when you're at the peak of your game. It's a huge loss for French rugby and I'm sure his teammates are still trying to process what happened.
. We need more awareness and support for player health, especially when it comes to pre-existing conditions.
. Your legacy will live on in the sport, but I hope we can learn from this tragedy and make changes to protect future players 
. We need more awareness and research into cardiac issues in sports, it's time we take care of our athletes' health 
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. I mean, what if it's not just about his heart condition, but something more sinister? Maybe they're trying to cover up some other issue? And why is the medical director saying that sport brings pre-existing conditions to the surface? Sounds like a convenient excuse to me 
... and what's with all the tributes from his teammates? It's like they're trying to distract us from the real truth 
. I'm not buying it, fam 
. Uuni Atonio's story highlights the importance of prioritizing our health and well-being, both on and off the pitch. We can't always control what happens to our hearts, but we can take steps to prevent cardiac issues from arising in the first place 
. The rugby community is clearly mourning Atonio's loss, and it's a wake-up call for all of us who participate in or support these sports. Let's make sure to look out for each other and take care of our bodies – they're the only ones we've got 
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anyw i do no wot its rite but u gotta feel 4 him he sounded like a total legend on the pitch 
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. It's heartbreaking when these kind of things happen, especially in sports where players put everything on the line 
... we can only imagine how tough this must be for them right now 
. We need to be more aware of cardiac issues in rugby & take better care of these incredible athletes 
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hope uini finds peace and that his teammates can look back on their time together with fond memories 
. Uini's retirement is a wake-up call for the sport to prioritize player welfare