Owiny Atonio: Gael Fico praises his teammate after a “cardiac accident”

Team-mate Gael Fico says France has lost its best support ever after Oyeni Atonio was forced to retire due to a heart problem.

Atonio, 35, was transferred to the intensive care unit at a hospital in La Rochelle on Tuesday after suffering a “heart attack.”

He is now in stable condition.

“He was a great player with extraordinary physique and amazing qualities,” Fico told L’Equipe., external

“He was without a doubt the best French prop we ever had.”

Atonio withdrew from La Rochelle’s match against Clermont on Sunday after suffering chest pains and withdrew from France’s Six Nations squad the following day before being admitted to hospital on Tuesday.

“I already saw that he was not feeling well during his team’s trip to Clermont,” Fico said.

“I know him and I find it strange. He’s not the type to pretend.

“He is an exceptional player, but he is the man I want to praise more than anything else.

“In the team, he’s a great guy, always smiling. I have a lot of memories; I looked at a lot of pictures with him this afternoon. I hope there are more.”

“Uini has left his mark. He might have preferred a different ending, but that’s life. Rugby is not eternal, but friendship is eternal.”

New Zealand-born Atonio has won 68 caps for France, was part of the Grand Slam-winning side in 2022 and started all five matches in their title-winning Six Nations campaign in 2025.