Statement: Northampton Saints confirms the signing of France international
Rugby NewsThursday, 08 May 2025 at 12:12
Northampton Saints have pulled off a major coup with the signing of France international fly-half Anthony Belleau, who will join the club ahead of the 2025/26 season.
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The 29-year-old playmaker swaps the French heartland for the East Midlands, arriving from ASM Clermont Auvergne, where he’s racked up 81 appearances since joining in 2022.
Belleau & Smith: Double Trouble
Belleau’s arrival will boost Saints’ depth at No.10 and create a mouth-watering international fly-half partnership with Fin Smith, as the men in Black, Green and Gold look to build on their electric attacking style.
And the Frenchman is buzzing for the challenge.
“I’ve always wanted to experience rugby outside of France,” Belleau said.
“When the opportunity at Saints came, I couldn’t wait to take it.”
Speed, Style, Saints
Known for his silky skills and game management, Belleau was drawn to Saints’ trademark free-flowing rugby.
“The way Northampton play – their fast style of rugby – really appeals to me,” he added.
“The Top14 is a tough league, but I follow rugby around the world and the Premiership excites me. This is the perfect place to grow as a player.”
Belleau becomes the latest high-profile French player to test himself in the Gallagher Premiership – and Saints fans will be eager to see him light up cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens this summer.
EDITORS PICKS:
Who will make the 2025 British & Irish Lions squad? Latest odds
? BACK-THREE: Scottish Power, Irish Precision
Duhan van der Merwe (1/16) is about as nailed-on as it gets – the Scotland powerhouse leads the market by some distance. He’s joined by two key Irish threats: James Lowe (1/8) and Hugo Keenan (1/5), both firm favourites.
England’s Tommy Freeman (4/9) continues his upward trajectory, while Blair Kinghorn (8/11) brings utility value and flair. Don’t rule out Darcy Graham (2/1) – the pocket rocket could be a dark horse.
? CENTRES: Aki and Jones in Pole Position
No surprises here. Bundee Aki (1/5) has been sensational and looks a shoo-in, while Huw Jones (1/4) is Scotland's best bet in midfield.
Scotland’s dynamic duo of Sione Tuipulotu (2/7) and Huw Jones (1/4) are also on track for selection, while Ireland’s Robbie Henshaw (8/11) must prove his fitness to stay in contention.
? FLY-HALVES: Finn’s to Lose?
Finn Russell (1/10) has the number 10 jersey in his grasp – and the bookies agree. England’s Fin Smith (8/15) is rising fast, while Marcus Smith (8/11) just edges Ireland’s Sam Prendergast, who drops out of the market in this latest update.
? NINES: Neck-and-Neck
It’s tight at scrum-half. Ireland’s Jamison Gibson-Park (8/11) leads the charge, but Alex Mitchell (11/10) and Tomos Williams (11/10) are breathing down his neck. With form fluctuating, this one’s still wide open.
? PROPS: Irish Domination
There’s no ignoring Tadhg Furlong (1/8) and Andrew Porter (1/7) – both virtually guaranteed. Zander Fagerson (4/11)is Scotland’s main man, while England’s Ellis Genge (4/6) and Fin Baxter (5/6) are right in the mix.
Pierre Schoeman (5/4) is hanging on, but might need a big end to the season.
? HOOKERS: Sheehan Out in Front
Dan Sheehan (1/10) is the clear frontrunner, but Dewi Lake (8/15) is hot on his heels. England’s Luke Cowan-Dickie (6/5) is back in the mix, but will need to stay fit to seal his spot.
? LOCKS: Itoje the Banker
Maro Itoje (1/33) is the biggest lock on the list (pun fully intended). He’s joined by Tadhg Beirne (1/10) and rising Irish star Joe McCarthy (4/6).
England’s Ollie Chessum (8/11) is in the hunt, and George Martin (11/10) isn’t far behind either.
? BACK-ROW: Doris and Earl Lead the Charge
Ireland’s Caelan Doris (1/5) and England’s Ben Earl (1/5) are leading the way. Former World Player of the Year Josh van der Flier (1/3) is another certainty.
England’s Tom Curry (8/15) is close to sealing a spot, while Jack Morgan (4/6) and Jack Willis (6/4) remain outside contenders.
? PROPOSED 2025 BRITISH & IRISH LIONS SQUAD (36)
Back-Three (6):
Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland) - 1/16
James Lowe (Ireland) - 1/8
Hugo Keenan (Ireland) - 1/5
Tommy Freeman (England) - 4/9
Blair Kinghorn (Scotland) - 8/11
Darcy Graham (Scotland) - 2/1
Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland) - 1/16
James Lowe (Ireland) - 1/8
Hugo Keenan (Ireland) - 1/5
Tommy Freeman (England) - 4/9
Blair Kinghorn (Scotland) - 8/11
Darcy Graham (Scotland) - 2/1
Centres (4):
Bundee Aki (Ireland) - 1/5
Huw Jones (Scotland) - 1/4
Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland) - 2/7
Robbie Henshaw (Ireland) - 8/11
Bundee Aki (Ireland) - 1/5
Huw Jones (Scotland) - 1/4
Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland) - 2/7
Robbie Henshaw (Ireland) - 8/11
Fly-Halves (3):
Finn Russell (Scotland) - 1/10
Fin Smith (England) - 8/15
Marcus Smith (England) - 8/11
Finn Russell (Scotland) - 1/10
Fin Smith (England) - 8/15
Marcus Smith (England) - 8/11
Scrum-Halves (3):
Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland) - 8/11
Alex Mitchell (England) - 11/10
Tomos Williams (Wales) - 11/10
Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland) - 8/11
Alex Mitchell (England) - 11/10
Tomos Williams (Wales) - 11/10
Props (3):
Tadhg Furlong (Ireland) - 1/8
Andrew Porter (Ireland) - 1/7
Zander Fagerson (Scotland) - 4/11
Ellis Genge (England) - 4/6
Fin Baxter (England) - 5/6
Pierre Schoeman (Scotland) - 5/4
Tadhg Furlong (Ireland) - 1/8
Andrew Porter (Ireland) - 1/7
Zander Fagerson (Scotland) - 4/11
Ellis Genge (England) - 4/6
Fin Baxter (England) - 5/6
Pierre Schoeman (Scotland) - 5/4
Hookers (3):
Dan Sheehan (Ireland) - 1/10
Dewi Lake (Wales) - 8/15
Luke Cowan-Dickie (England) - 6/5
Dan Sheehan (Ireland) - 1/10
Dewi Lake (Wales) - 8/15
Luke Cowan-Dickie (England) - 6/5
Locks (5):
Maro Itoje (England) - 1/33
Tadhg Beirne (Ireland) - 1/10
Joe McCarthy (Ireland) - 4/6
Ollie Chessum (England) - 8/11
George Martin (England) - 11/10
Maro Itoje (England) - 1/33
Tadhg Beirne (Ireland) - 1/10
Joe McCarthy (Ireland) - 4/6
Ollie Chessum (England) - 8/11
George Martin (England) - 11/10
Back-Row (6):
Caelan Doris (Ireland) - 1/5
Ben Earl (England) - 1/5
Josh van der Flier (Ireland) - 1/3
Tom Curry (England) - 8/15
Jack Morgan (Wales) - 4/6
Jack Willis (England) - 6/4
Caelan Doris (Ireland) - 1/5
Ben Earl (England) - 1/5
Josh van der Flier (Ireland) - 1/3
Tom Curry (England) - 8/15
Jack Morgan (Wales) - 4/6
Jack Willis (England) - 6/4
TOUGH QUIZ: Can you name EVERY British & Irish Lions captain of the past 50 Years?
We've got a belter of a quiz in store, as we challenge you to name EVERY British & Irish Lions tour captain of the past 50 years. We start off our quiz back on the 1974 tour of South Africa, and bring it all the way up to the Lions' latest tour to the land of the Springboks in 2021.
To make this a little bit more difficult, some of the more recent tours included multiple captains, with both needed to be named if you want to ace this Lions Tour quiz. You have six minutes to get all of your answers down, and your time starts... Now!
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