Uini Atonio has opened up on life after rugby after suffering a heart attack earlier this year.
The former France international spent the majority of his playing career with La Rochelle, joining the club in 2011 and helping them establish themselves in the Top 14.
Atonio won the Champions Cup with La Rochelle in 2022 and was also part of France's Six Nations Grand Slam-winning side that year.
Born in New Zealand to Samoan parents, he retired from rugby in January 2026 following a heart attack.
Now working as a scrum coach at La Rochelle, Atonio has spoken to RMC about his transition from playing to coaching.
He was 35 when he suffered the heart attack and was approaching the end of his career. Looking back on his playing days, Atonio admitted he is satisfied with everything he achieved.
"It's going very well.
"If you'd asked me six months ago, I would have said the transition was a bit tougher.
"But frankly… It's just the way I finished my career that makes people think I was struggling a bit, but not at all! I'm happy, I've done almost everything I wanted in my rugby career, and now I've joined a dynamic coaching staff.
"I'm constantly learning. And at the same time, I'm passing on my expertise; I enjoy that, it's a new challenge."
His interaction with the French media at the end of August was only the second time he had spoken publicly since being admitted to intensive care following his heart attack.
Away from coaching, Atonio is also involved with a craft beer brand and a restaurant, while he is completing a coaching diploma that is due to be finished in February.
He is working under Ronan O'Gara, who recently signed a contract extension that will keep him at La Rochelle until 2031.
O'Gara joined the club in 2019 after previous coaching spells with fellow Top 14 side Racing 92 and New Zealand outfit the Crusaders.
