Danty: ‘Stade squad welded together’

Editor

Stade Français centre Jonathan Danty has discussed how the squad's spirit and soul saw them through to the Top 14 Final.

A collective effort saw Stade overcome holders Toulon last Friday to make the French league's showpiece event for the first time since 2007.

Danty revealed how the belief and unity of the group, which had been forged during pre-season, along with the inspiration of Gonzalo Quesada, played a major part in their success.

"Before the game, Gonzalo Quesada said that maybe we were not as good as all those guys in their side. So, we knew that our strength would be our bond as a group and not necessarily the individuals," Danty told RugbyRama.

"What really has made us into a group was all the work that we did in Spain last pre-season and in Val-d'Isere. We laughed a lot, spent a lot of time together. All this created the soul of the group, it has welded us. We can feel it on the field within the 23 guys and the others who came and who are outside the matchday squad. They have to go through a rough time but they are still there and are happy for us. I am very happy for the whole group."

Saturday's final will be extra special for Danty, who grew up with a view on the Stade de France, but admits that playing there was beyond his wildest dreams.

"I lived in the north of Paris and the Stade de France, I could see it from my mother's house. At no time did I imagine myself playing in that stadium and especially in a Top 14 final.

"It's an honour for me."