Owiny Atonio: France and La Rochelle retire after a “heart event”

He started all five matches when France regained the Six Nations in 2025, and was named in their provisional squad for this year’s tournament.

However, he was withdrawn from the team earlier this week. It is unclear whether this was for sporting or medical reasons.

“Owiny is a wonderful person and had great importance as a player and as a man within the group,” France striker coach William Servat said on Wednesday.

“Our thoughts are with his family, loved ones, children and wife, and that is what matters today.

“We are all, of course, affected and sad by what is happening, but he is a strong man, and we are convinced that he will return quickly.”

After being spotted at the Rugby 10 Championship in Hong Kong, Atonio signed with La Rochelle for the 2011-12 season and remained with the club throughout his career.

He helped his side win promotion to the top 14 in 2014, and was part of the side that reached three successive European Champions Cup finals between 2021 and 2023, winning the title in the last two years.

Atonio has played six times this season, with his first appearance in early December and his last against Harlequins in the Champions Cup on 18 January.

French club body LNR said: “In blue, as in the La Rochelle shirt, Oyeni Atonio was – and will remain – a great mainstay in the broadest sense of the word, in his stature, humility and cheerful personality.”