"I realized recently that I had had more caps in one year than in the last eight seasons. That's it... It's my journey. At one point in my career, I may have a little lowered, I was not at the level. Today, I am there and I benefit from it 100% ", admitted Le Rochelais.

Because Danty, 29 years old and 13 selections, is almost a miracle.

Since the tour in Australia, with a group as young as it has been revamped, the center has become almost a must.

To the point of overtaking Virimi Vakatawa, yet considered the best center in the world last season.

Result, since his return from the "Down Under" tour, he beat the All Blacks (40-25) in November then Italy (37-10) and Scotland (36-17) in the Tournament.

He had his first capes in 2016, during a Tournament finished in 5th place, then had won two selections during summer tours in Argentina or autumn against New Zealand.

But he had missed the train for the 2019 World Cup in Japan.

Two years later, Danty was recalled to Blue by Fabien Galthié thanks to the short-lived Autumn Nations Cup and the limitation of internationals to three match sheets.

With success, since it is him that the boss of the XV of France has placed alongside in the center of the indestructible Gaël Fickou, once the test Romain Ntamack has not been transformed.

Ten selections under Galthié

"He is a physically dominant player, altruistic, very good in defense and very strong on the ground", complimented Fabien Galthié.

The center of the XV of France Jonathan Danty during training at Murrayfield, February 25, 2022 ANDY BUCHANAN AFP / Archives

"After the 2019 World Cup, I gave up. I thought it was over because when the Blues staff went around the clubs (to meet the likely internationals, editor's note), I didn't hadn't been seen," Danty recently shared.

"I said to myself: 'Keep improving at the club'. In the end, the staff may have changed their vision of the player I am and that allows me to be here. It took a lot of strength, a lot time too. I have no regrets, "added Danty, who should know his 10th selection under the Galthié era against Wales.

Because the former Parisian has been able to develop his game. No more demolition ball, limited by his only qualities of physical challenge.

"Gonzalo Quesada's return to Paris (in 2020, editor's note) did me good. Before him, I had known coaches who asked me for a very restrictive game and I was locked into that style of game." , explained the person concerned.

"At the Stade Français, Gonzalo asked me to change. He told me that if I didn't progress, I wouldn't play. I didn't have a choice, in fact. But it worked. Quesada, c He was one of the few coaches who thought I could do anything other than run into walls. He wasn't wrong," smiled Danty.

Here he is installed in Blue, 160 minutes from a Grand Slam.

© 2022 AFP