"Cardiac event" - Uini Atonio health update after second operation
Rugby NewsThursday, 05 February 2026 at 20:22
As France prepared to face Ireland in their Six Nations opener, the words spoken on Tuesday by head coach Fabien Galthié continue to echo through the French camp following the forced retirement of Uini Atonio.
While announcing his squad earlier this week, Galthié addressed the media for the first time since learning of the abrupt end to Atonio’s career. Hospitalised on 27 January after suffering a heart attack, the tighthead was subsequently advised to stop playing rugby at the highest level
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Galthié detailed the brutal speed at which events unfolded.
"He called me on Monday morning to tell me that he had some exams to do, but that everything would be fine and that he would be there at the end of the week.
" And on Thursday, I had him on the phone and he explained to me that he would not be there, that he had a first operation and then a second one today, "he explained.
Even as his playing career came to an end, Atonio’s thoughts remained with the group.
“He was hoping at least to come and see us for the last match against England, just to be with us,” Galthié added.
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The coach also insisted on the example Atonio set throughout his time with the XV de France.
“The image we have of Uini is someone who never gives up. During the World Cup physical preparation, which was extremely demanding in terms of endurance and speed, he never gave up despite how hard it was.”
Galthié concluded by highlighting the legacy Atonio leaves behind.
“He showed the way through his behaviour, always with a smile and of course with his talent. I think he will inspire the two players who are now in the tighthead position.”
A cornerstone of the current generation of French rugby, Atonio ends his international career with 68 caps, two Six Nations titles (2022 and 2025) and two tries — a figure whose influence will still be felt tonight as Les Bleus run out against Ireland.
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Who has the most foreign-born players? 2026 Six Nations
The Six Nations has always been rooted in tradition — but in the modern era, international squads are increasingly shaped by migration, ancestry, and residency eligibility.
In 2026, foreign-born players remain a major part of the championship picture, although the overall numbers have fallen sharply compared to recent years.
So, which nation has the most foreign-born players in 2026?
Foreign-born players by nation (2026)
Scotland — 14 foreign-born players (35%)
- Homegrown: 26/40 (65%)
- Foreign-born: 14/40 (35%)
Scotland once again lead the Six Nations for overseas-born representation.
Full list (Scotland)
Nathan McBeth — South Africa (Grandparent)
Pierre Schoeman — South Africa (Residency, 2021)
Ewan Ashman — Canada (Parent)
Elliot Millar Mills — England (Parent)
Josh Bayliss — England (Grandparent)
Jack Dempsey — Australia (Grandparent)
Ben White — England (Grandparent)
Fergus Burke — New Zealand (Grandparent)
Tom Jordan — New Zealand (Residency, 2024)
Rory Hutchinson — England (Grandparent)
Sione Tuipulotu — Australia (Grandparent)
Kyle Rowe — England (Cumulative Residency)
Kyle Steyn — South Africa (Parent)
Duhan van der Merwe — South Africa (Residency, 2020)
Wales — 9 foreign-born players (23.6%)
- Homegrown: 29/38 (76.3%)
- Foreign-born: 9/38 (23.6%)
Wales sit mid-table, with most foreign-born players coming through English development pathways or overseas heritage.
Full list (Wales)
Tomas Francis — England (Grandparent)
Archie Griffin — Australia (Parent)
Ben Carter — England (Residency, 2004)
Freddie Thomas — England (Grandparent)
Olly Cracknell — England (Grandparent)
Josh MacLeod — Monaco (Residency, 2004)
Gabriel Hamer-Webb — England (Parent)
Ellis Mee — England (Parent)
Blair Murray — New Zealand (Parent)
Italy — 8 foreign-born players (24.2%)
- Homegrown: 24/33 (72.7%)
- Foreign-born: 8/33 (24.2%)
Italy continue to benefit from a diverse talent pool, drawing on Argentine heritage and residency-qualified backs.
Full list (Italy)
Pablo Dimcheff — Argentina (Grandparent)
Muhamad Hasa — Albania (Residency, 2014)
Martin Page-Relo — France (Grandparent)
Stephen Varney — Wales (Parent)
Juan Ignacio Brex — Argentina (Grandparent)
Paolo Odogwu — England (Parent)
Montana Ioane — Australia (Residency, 2020)
Matt Gallagher — England (Grandparent)
Ireland — 8 foreign-born players (20%)
- Homegrown: 34/40 (85%)
- Foreign-born: 8/40 (20%)
Ireland remain one of the most homegrown squads in the championship, but several key players — especially in the backline — were born abroad.
Full list (Ireland)
Jeremy Loughman — USA (Parent)
Finlay Bealham — Australia (Grandparent)
Cormac Izuchukwu — England (Parent)
Joe McCarthy — USA (Parent)
Jamison Gibson-Park — New Zealand (Residency, 2019)
Ciarán Frawley — Australia (Parent)
Bundee Aki — New Zealand (Residency, 2017)
James Lowe — New Zealand (Residency, 2020)
France — 7 foreign-born players (15.5%)
- Homegrown: 39/45 (86.6%)
- Foreign-born: 7/45 (15.5%)
France have one of the strongest domestic player bases, but still include a handful of residency-qualified forwards.
Full list (France)
Dany Priso — Cameroon (Residency, 2008)
Uini Atonio — New Zealand (Residency, 2014)
Tevita Tatafu — Tonga (Residency, 2024)
Joshua Brennan — Ireland (Residency, 2005)
Thibaud Flament — Belgium (Born in France)
Emmanuel Meafou — New Zealand (Residency, 2023)
Tom Staniforth — Australia (Residency, 2025)
England — 6 foreign-born players (16.6%)
- Homegrown: 34/36 (94.4%)
- Foreign-born: 6/36 (16.6%)
England have the most domestically produced squad in the tournament, with only a small group born outside the country.
Full list (England)
Bevan Rodd — Scotland (Parent)
Emmanuel Iyogun — Spain (Residency)
Sam Underhill — USA (Parent)
Marcus Smith — Philippines (Parent)
Henry Arundell — Dhekelia (Parent)
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso — Wales (Grandparent)
Ranking: Most foreign-born players (2026)
- Scotland — 14
- Wales — 9
- Italy — 8
- Ireland — 8
- France — 7
- England — 6
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- Jordie Barrett over Damian de Allende is far from being correct. The hype around Dupont is also overreaching, he's probably 4th in the world and has been since the 2023 WC. He also avoids certain matchups which is strange. The rest of the list is pretty good apart from minor subjective biases.JasonMarlow16-09-2026
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