The aim of this paper is to reanalyze the Dang Van High cycle fatigue criterion using recent results in crystal plasticity and micromechanics. The initial criterion is based on the estimation of the shakedown limit at the grain scale and assumes a plastic inclusion in an elastic matrix in order to localize the macroscopic stress at the grain scale. The work presented here starts from the classical assumptions of the criterion. It then refines the micromechanical modeling at the grain scale by considering on the one hand side a coupled plastic-damage polycrystalline material behavior and on the other hand side a numerical model based on crystal plasticity. Several aspects of metal fatigue will be discussed: notch and stress gradient effects, mean stress effects and finite lifetime estimation. The result permit to asses the criterion using refined modeling and enables to cover qualitatively and quantitatively new areas of application and extensions of the classical Dang Van proposal.