England legend expects ‘galvanised’ France to ‘go up another level’ in Six Nations after Uini Atonio news as he pays tribute to ‘one of the greats’

Mako Vunipola has warned his former England teammates that the announcement of Uini Atonio’s heart attack and immediate forced retirement will take France “to another level” in their Six Nations title defence.

French rugby has been rocked by the news, which broke on Wednesday, that the much-loved prop is in an intensive care ward in La Rochelle following a “cardiac event” and will not play professionally again.

Atonio, 35, was part of France’s Grand Slam-winning side in 2022 and started all five games in last year’s championship-winning team. A two-time Champions Cup winner with Stade Rochelais, the 6’5 tighthead leaves a huge hole in Fabien Galthie’s plans.

Loosehead Vunipola often packed down against the 68-cap giant and knows better than most the influence he had at scrum time. Playing in France, he has seen firsthand the impact his loss has had on the French rugby community.

“Everyone is stunned to hear about Uini,” says Vunipola, in his second year at ProD2 table-topping Vannes. “You’re just praying and hoping he’s okay.

“He’s been an absolute giant of the game, figuratively and literally. Scrummaging against him was never nice, I can tell you. There’s not many players of his size (123 kilos) that really know how to use it.

“He could hit, he could carry and, obviously, he could scrummage. It was always a tough day at the office going against him. He is one of the greats, an absolute cornerstone of French rugby.”

Vunipola adds: “You can see how much he is loved from the many messages that have been posted. We all know rugby is an emotional game, but particularly over here.

“When the emotions are right for French teams they can beat anyone. I have no doubt France will be galvanised by this, wanting to win for their mate. I expect them to go up another level.”

France odds-on to retain their crown

Galthie’s side kick off the tournament in Paris on Thursday evening when Ireland are the visitors. France are odds-on to retain their crown with Louis Bielle-Biarrey heavy favourite to again be the top try scorer.

England, on an 11-game winning streak and France’s final opponent, will have something to say about that, and Vunipola believes the form of Ellis Genge in his old No.1 jersey gives them a real chance.

“Everyone knows what Gengey can do, and he’s showing it more and more often now,” says Vunipola, who won 79 caps between 2012-23 in addition to playing nine Tests across three British and Irish Lions tours.

“You can see how much of a talisman he is for Bristol, but also for England. He is getting better and better. When you see him rampaging like that through the middle, it gives your team a lift and enormous confidence.

“I still remember when we played Australia on my last tour in 2022: second Test in Brisbane, England one down in the series. Thirty seconds gone, Gengey gets the ball and runs over [Wallaby captain Michael] Hooper.

“The lift it gave us as a team was incredible. It set the tone for a real physical performance. We won the game, then a week later in Sydney, closed out the series, beating them again.”

Those England days have gone for Vunipola, whose plan is to finish the season with Vannes, return them to the Top-14, then weigh up his options back home.

“It’s gone well out here,” says a man who last time we spoke, voiced concerns his family might not settle in Brittany. “We have adapted to the culture and, with a bit more of a grasp of the language, feel a lot more settled.

“For my family, my young children, it’s been great coming out here and experiencing France. It’s beautiful where we live. But, for me now, it’s probably time to come back and put down roots, ready for life after rugby.

“I’m really enjoying this season, knowing I’m nearing the end of the road in terms of playing. At the same time, I’m trying to figure out what the next year and next step looks like.

“I’d like to explore coaching, I’m doing bits at the club with the younger academy boys around the set-piece. But I have not closed my mind to playing on.

“To be honest, watching some of the Champions Cup and Prem games, one week I’m like, ‘Yeah, I’m okay’, another I’m, ‘Oof. That looks like a big hit’!

“It’s more a mental thing than it is physical. As long as my head’s in the right place and I still love and enjoy the game, the body will follow.”

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World Cup a possibility for Vunipola

Which could be good news for Tonga, the land of his parents. Earlier this month, Vunipola told Rugby World it would “be an honour” to represent the country in next year’s World Cup.

He also spent some time in the autumn shadowing Tonga’s coaching team in Scotland. “I need to figure out where I want to start,” he adds.

Atonio’s drastically changed circumstances remind Vunipola what a privileged position he is in to have a choice going forward. Same age, same birthplace (New Zealand), very different rugby futures.

“Having been around the game for so long, I understand the stature of what Uini represents for France,” he says. “To see what’s happened to him is extremely sad.

“It is a reminder to us all as players that everything can be taken away from you so quickly.”

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