France get Dupont scare

Stade Rochelais star leaves field on stretcher after sickening clash in Top 14

The France and Stade Rochelais prop Uini Atonio was forced off in the 64th minute of the victory over Brive.

France suffered a fresh injury scare on Saturday as Uini Atonio was forced off during Stade Rochelais' 31-20 Top 14 victory over Brive.

The giant prop lasted just 20 minutes of the second half before leaving the field on a stretcher following a sickening clash of heads with Brive's Kitione Kamikamica.

Atonio, 33, has been a key figure for France in recent seasons and was part of the team that won the Six Nations in 2022.

His injury will be a concern for Les Bleus head coach Fabien Galthie, who is already without several other front-row players due to injury.

Stade Rochelais confirmed after the game that Atonio had suffered a "head trauma" and will undergo further tests on Sunday.

The win moved Stade Rochelais back into the Top 14 top six, while Brive remain bottom of the table.