Northampton Saints sign Clermont fly-half Belleau

Anthony Belleau featured for Clermont against Northampton in the Champions Cup earlier this season

Northampton Saints have signed French fly-half Anthony Belleau from Clermont Auvergne.

The 29-year-old, who earned the last of his 12 caps for France in the 2019 Six Nations, will move to Cinch Stadium at Franklin's Gardens next season to "bolster Saints' fly-half stocks" alongside England number 10 Fin Smith.

Belleau has made 81 appearances for Clermont since joining them from French Top 14 rivals Toulon in 2022.

Saints director of rugby Phil Dowson described the playmaker as a "very intelligent" player who he hopes will bring the "personality and flair" that he admires in French players.

"Anthony is an international, high-quality player who has played a lot of rugby both at Toulon and Clermont," Dowson told the club website.

"He is somebody who is looking for a change of environment, to try his hand in a different league in a foreign country and we're excited to get him to Northampton.

"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."

After a decade spent in France's top flight, where he has made 160 appearances to date, Belleau says he has long desired to play abroad.

In the European Champions Cup final-bound Saints, the fly-half says he sees a "fast style of rugby" that "really appeals".

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

"I play in the Top14 – 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."