Saint-Denis (AFP)

He should not necessarily have been there but Jonathan Danty, called in to supplement an injury, slipped into the starting XV against Italy then took the opportunity to register his first try in Blue.

His match, solid (5 tackles, 6 balls carried at half-time), kept the head of the Blues above the water after a complicated first period.

But, more than its statistical performance, it is this test, its first at the international level, that the center of the Stade Français will retain.

At 28 years old and five caps, Danty is no new kid.

But he took advantage of the rotation imposed by the agreement between the LNR and the FFR, which limits the internationals to three matches, to be invited to Marcoussis to replace his club teammate Julien Delbouis, forfeit due to injury.

His try owes nothing to anyone, except a nice pass from the scrum half and captain for one night, Baptiste Serin.

Then, the Parisian hit and perforated before crossing the line, all in power (36th).

Good news for Danty but also for the Blues, long hung by an Italian team who took pleasure in thwarting this new-look XV of France.

Danty had not worn the jersey of the France team since June 19, 2016 and a defeat against Argentina (30-19).

He also remained on two international setbacks since, before Tucuman's disappointment, he was also defeated against Wales (19-10), at the Millennium, in February 2016. Before disappearing from the blue radars.

- Power -

His performance on Saturday is in line with what he shows in the Top 14 every weekend: seven matches, six starts and one try.

Without shining, Danty assures and reassures.

He probably does not have the percussion of Virimi Vakatawa (28 years old, 27 sel.), Not the versatility of Gaël Fickou (26 years, 58 sel.), Nor the mastery of Arthur Vincent (21 years, 7 sel.). ), but Danty made his match against Italy, playing his card to the full with his strengths.

He made speak his strength and his size (1.81 m for 106 kg).

He even offered a winning touch and then a decisive percussion that sends his teammate Sekou Macalou to his first try.

Not bad for a player who refuses to be confined to this role of wall breaker.

Yet it is thanks to his power that he hurt the Italians.

Because if the men of Franco Smith held the dragee high for nearly an hour, they ended up cracking, cashing tests from Gabin Villière (54th), Serin (60th) and Teddy Thomas (62nd).

And the work of exhaustion of the Parisian is not for nothing.

Danty also played 80 minutes and his impacts would undoubtedly do the Blues good in the final of the Autumn Cup against England on December 6 at Twickenham.

Enough to convince coach Fabien Galthié to recall it?

Answer early next week.

© 2020 AFP