France worldwide fly-half Anthony Belleau admits he has at all times needed to play exterior his homeland after agreeing to affix Champions Cup finalists Northampton Saints subsequent season.
RugbyPass first broke the information of the transfer final week, and Saints have now confirmed that Belleau, 29, will arrive on the membership this summer time when his contract with Clermont Auvergne expires.
Belleau’s transfer throughout the English Channel will add competitors for England worldwide Fin Smith, and the 12-cap Check participant says he’s excited to expertise Premiership rugby.
“I’ve at all times had it in my thoughts that gaining expertise exterior of France was one thing I needed to attempt. I’d at all times communicate to the overseas gamers to be taught extra about their tradition and the way in which they see rugby.
“So, when this new likelihood at Saints got here, I couldn’t wait to take it. The way in which Northampton play—their quick model of rugby—is one thing that basically appeals to me.
“I play in the Top 14, which is a tough competition, but I follow rugby everywhere in the world, and I’m excited to play in a league like the Premiership.
“Getting into another rugby environment, learning new things and working with the coaches at Saints is something I’m really looking forward to.
“I’m always looking to improve, and there’s no better opportunity for me to do that than with Northampton,” said Belleau, who faced Saints earlier this season in a 46–24 Champions Cup quarter-final defeat.
But he says it wasn’t just his most recent visit to the East Midlands that left an impression, recalling a much earlier trip to Franklin’s Gardens.
“That game was a hard one, but I remember as soon as Fin Smith hit the ball to kick off the game, I could hear the crowd behind me. I thought, ‘Oh, this is a big game—the supporters are here and they’re making themselves heard’.
“I came to Northampton once before, in 2004, when I was eight years old. Agen played Northampton in the European Cup, and I came with my parents. I remember it well and thought it was a good place,” he added.
Saints director of rugby Phil Dowson admitted it’s a disgrace extra French gamers don’t comply with Belleau’s lead and cross the Channel to play within the Premiership.
“Anthony is a world, high-quality participant who has performed lots of rugby at Toulon and Clermont. He’s a really clever participant, who can also be courageous within the sort out and kicks very effectively.
“He can play the ball, he’s formidable, however there are nonetheless components of his sport we are able to enhance—and most significantly, he needs to be taught.
“It’s a disgrace that so few French gamers play in England as a result of there may be that persona and aptitude, and clearly there are some issues we are able to be taught from the French in how they play the sport.
“France are among the best worldwide sides on the earth for the time being. Getting somebody right here of Anthony’s expertise is a really optimistic factor,” mentioned Dowson.
