English rugby champions Northampton sign French fly-half Belleau

Former France international fly-half Anthony Belleau will join Northampton for the 2025/26 season, the reigning English Premiership champions announced Thursday.

The 29-year-old arrives from Top 14 side Clermont Auvergne - where he has featured for the Top 14 side 81 times to date since joining them in 2022.

Belleau's move will see him competing for the No 10 shirt with England stand-off Fin Smith - who last weekend steered Northampton into the European Champions Cup final as they beat Irish province Leinster 37-34.

But Belleau is relishing the challenge.

"I've always had it in my mind that gaining experience outside of France was something I wanted to try," said Belleau in a Northampton statement.

"I would always speak to the foreign players, to learn more about their culture and the way they see rugby. So, when this new chance at Saints came, I couldn't wait to take it."

Belleau, a member of the Clermont side defeated 46-24 last month as the Saints advanced to the Champions Cup quarterfinals, added: "The way Northampton play, their fast style of rugby is something that really appeals to me."

Northampton director of rugby Phil Dowson, explaining why the Saints had signed the 12-times capped Belleau said: "Anthony is an international, high-quality player who has played a lot of rugby both at Toulon and Clermont."

Dowson added: "It is a shame that so few French players play in England because there is that personality and flair there; and clearly there are some things we can learn from the French in how they play the game.

"France are one of the best international sides in the world at the moment.

"Getting someone here of Anthony's experience is a very positive thing and we're looking forward to having him in our environment."