The center of La Rochelle, successful during his last outings with the XV of France, refuses the label of favorites attached to the Blues as the Tournament approaches.
After finishing twice in second place in the Tournament and beating the All Blacks in November, is the ambition of the Blues to win this edition?
Jonathan Danty : Yes, we have the ambition to try to win the Tournament. It’s true that for a few years we haven’t won much. It would be good if before showing up for the World Cup, we validated this November tour where we climbed crescendo and where we ended up quite strong by beating the All Blacks. We need to confirm that. Above all, we need to be well placed in this Six Nations Tournament.
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The other nations make France the favorite of this Tournament. How do you welcome this status?
Favorites of the Tournament, for what reasons? (Smile) Because we performed well in the last matches, that’s what the others say. We know that we still have a margin of progress and we try to evolve from rally to rally, and from match to match. Today, I think there are several contenders for victory in the Tournament. Like every year. To be the big favorite is a very big word. We’ll see that in the first game.
Discipline occupies a very important place in the Foreign Legion. It’s a bit like rugby where you have to be present and disciplined
Jonathan Danty
You are currently on an internship with the Foreign Legion. What has changed in your daily life?
For the moment, we have a bit of sun here, it’s a change from the Paris region. (Smile) Otherwise, it shows us that, like in rugby, there is a lot of discipline. The guys are supervised, they respect everything, the different ranks… They have these formal moments, like the commemorations, where everyone is in their place. It’s true that discipline occupies a very important place in their job, their passion. It’s a bit like rugby where you have to be present and disciplined.
Many executives, especially at the hinge, are absent this week. Does this hinder your preparation for the game against Italy?
We have other very good players at the hinge, I’m not going to name them all. They compensate for the absences of players who have had health concerns. This helps to deal with any problems that we could have between now and the World Cup. The players who are there are at the level. This is not an obstacle, it allows the group to be enlarged and to be able to count on several players.
When I left Paris, it was also to apply for the World Cup. Today I am in the France team
Jonathan Danty
When you beat the All Blacks, do you become another player?
After the match, we obviously enjoyed the present moment. But the most important thing is to maintain this level of performance in each test match.
Do you feel, after your good performances in the fall, that you have even more to play?
A playing card, yes. I think all the players who are summoned have a card to play. Afterwards, in my position, I still have a lot of very high level competitors today. But I’m not just there, I try to show my best. After that it will be up to the staff to make the decisions. I’m already very happy to be here, but it’s better when you’re on the score sheet.
You left Stade Français for La Rochelle and returned to the France team. Does this validate the career choice you have made?
At the moment T, I would say yes. Afterwards, we still have a lot of deadlines ahead of us. When I left Paris, it was also to apply for the World Cup. Today I am in the France team. Will I be there in the future? My choice will be validated if I participate in the World Cup.
