La Rochelle target Chiefs tighthead Sione Ahio to fill void left by retired Uini Atonio

La Rochelle are set to sign Chiefs tighthead Sione Ahio on a two-year deal, according to French publication L’Equipe, with the 25-year-old earmarked as the long-term replacement for Uini Atonio, who retired from rugby in January after suffering a heart attack.

Atonio, who won 68 caps for France and made more than 300 appearances for La Rochelle, left an enormous gap at the Top 14 club. The 145 kg prop’s retirement prompted a patient search for a successor, and the club appear to have identified Ahio as the answer.

The Auckland-born loosehead broke through as the Chiefs’ first-choice tighthead during the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season, having previously featured only off the bench across seven appearances. Standing at 185 cm and weighing 120 kg, Ahio was part of a Chiefs scrum unit that posted a competition-best 96.8 per cent success rate on their way to another final. He was schooled at Liston College — less than an hour’s drive from Atonio’s own alma mater, Wesley College.

Should the deal be confirmed, Ahio would become the eighth Chiefs player to depart this offseason. Playmaker Josh Jacomb is joining the Highlanders under Jamie Joseph, while outside back Etene Nanai-Seturo heads to Clermont and Liam Coombes-Fabling moves to Oyonnax. Capped Wallaby Lalakai Foketi has signed with the Ospreys, Xavier Roe is bound for Sale, Reuben O’Neil has joined the Western Force in Perth, and All Blacks loose forward Samipeni Finau has agreed terms with Japanese club Canon Eagles.

The reported move would represent a significant step up for Ahio, who would arrive in France tasked with filling one of the most storied tighthead roles in European club rugby.