France star Uini Atonio retires with immediate effect, remains in intensive care

Wednesday, 28 January 2026 at 09:09

bySteven Smith

The rugby world has been stunned by the news that France prop Uini Atonio has suffered a heart attack, is in intensive care, and will no longer play rugby.

Watch the Guinness Six Nations at your local Greene King sports pub.

La Rochelle say medical examinations confirmed a “heart attack.” While his condition is stable, he remains under close observation in intensive care and faces a “long period of convalescence.”

Crucially, Atonio has already been informed that he will not be able to return to professional rugby.

“Uini Atonio was admitted yesterday to the La Rochelle Hospital Centre following a suspected heart problem,” the club said. “Medical examinations confirmed a cardiac event. His condition is now stable, and he remains in intensive care under observation.

Following his hospitalisation, Uini will have to undergo a long period of convalescence. It is now established that he will not be able to continue his playing career.

Atonio, born in Samoa in 1989, moved to France in his teens and quickly became one of the top locks in French rugby, known for his size, strength, and scrummaging power. He earned over 70 caps for Les Bleus, including appearances at the 2015 and 2019 Rugby World Cups, and has been a cornerstone for La Rochelle, helping them to European Champions Cup glory in 2022.

“Uini holds a special place in the history and in the heart of our Club. This news deeply saddens us.

The entire Club wishes to express its unwavering and total support to him and his family during this difficult time.”

The 35-year-old, a stalwart of both La Rochelle and the French national team, had been named in Fabien Galthie’s 42-man squad for the upcoming Six Nations.

France’s campaign is set to kick off in just over a week with a Thursday night clash against Ireland. But Atonio will now miss the tournament entirely after his club confirmed he was admitted to hospital on Tuesday.

Rugby fans across the globe will now hope for a smooth recovery for one of the modern game’s most beloved front-rowers, even as his playing days come to an abrupt and heartbreaking end.

The Heaviest Rugby Players in the World (Ranked 8-1)

From powerhouse props to towering locks, the heaviest rugby players in the world dominate scrums, lineouts, and collisions.

Here’s a countdown of the top 8 heaviest rugby players currently playing professionally.

8. Will Stuart (England) – 135 kg (21 st 4 lb), 6 ft 2 in

England’s tighthead prop, Will Stuart, is one of the biggest rugby players in the Six Nations. At 135 kg, he brings immense power to the scrum and combines it with solid technique and mobility around the field.

7. Romain Taofifénua (France) – 135 kg (21 st 3 lb), 6 ft 8 in

France’s second-row lock, Romain Taofifénua, is renowned for his physicality. His 135 kg frame and 6 ft 8 in height make him one of the heaviest rugby players in the world, while his athleticism allows him to dominate open play as well.

6. Emmanuel Meafou (France / Toulouse) – 145 kg (23 st), 6 ft 8 in

Meafou is a towering lock for Toulouse and France. Standing 6 ft 8 in tall and weighing 145 kg, he is one of the biggest rugby players currently active, making him almost impossible to move in contact.

5. Posolo Tuilagi (France) – 145 kg (23 st), 6 ft 4 in

The youngest of the legendary Tuilagi family, Posolo is already one of the heaviest rugby players in the world at just 19 years old. His size, power, and rugby lineage make him a rising superstar in French rugby.

4. Will Skelton (Australia) – 145–150 kg (≈23 st), 6 ft 8 in

Skelton, one of the tallest locks in professional rugby, weighs up to 150 kg. Known for his strength in scrums and lineouts, he combines size with surprising agility, earning a spot among the top heavy rugby players today.

3. Uini Atonio (France) – 146–147 kg (23 st), 6 ft 5 in

French prop Uini Atonio has anchored the French scrum for years. At nearly 147 kg, he is a true heaviest rugby player, delivering immense force in set-pieces while maintaining mobility across the field.

2. Ben Tameifuna (Tonga) – 151 kg (23 st 11 lb), 6 ft

Tameifuna is the heaviest player in the 2023 Rugby World Cup. At 151 kg, he’s a formidable presence in the scrum and surprisingly mobile in open play, making him one of the biggest rugby players in the world today.

1. Malik Hamadache (France) – 156 kg (24 st 6 lb), 6 ft 4 in

Currently listed as the heaviest professional rugby player, Hamadache tips the scales at 156 kg. His combination of size, experience, and power makes him the ultimate example of a super-heavyweight rugby player in modern professional rugby.