'I knew my time here wasn't finished' - Belleau so happy to stay at Saints

And the French fly-half can't wait to see what lies ahead for him with the black, green and gold after putting pen to paper on a contract extension.

After arriving in Northampton from Clermont Auvergne last summer, Belleau wasted little time in capturing the imagination of Saints supporters.

He announced himself in spectacular fashion by delivering a decisive late penalty in a narrow win over Gloucester before scoring two unforgettable tries against Leicester Tigers on the following weekend.

Since then, a string of standout performances saw him voted the club’s player of the month for October, and Belleau earned widespread admiration last month for swiftly returning to action despite sustaining a nasty mouth injury against Harlequins to ensure Saints would not be without an experienced fly-half for crucial matches against Union Bordeaux Bègles, Scarlets and Sale Sharks.

Belleau has made 12 appearances for Saints so far, helping them to claim some crucial wins, including the superb success at Bath in December.

And he is now looking forward to creating more memories in black, green and gold.

“Last season, when I made the decision to move away from France, it was a real challenge for me as a rugby player,” Belleau said. “I didn’t know if I would be able to do it, but when the offer from Saints came, I wanted to give it my best shot.

“When I first arrived, everything felt new. It was like beginning a completely fresh chapter in my career; a different style of play, a different way of living, and a different way of understanding rugby.

"But being at Saints has been incredibly enriching for me, on and off the field. I truly believe it has made me not only a better rugby player, but also a better person.

“So, when the conversation turned to my plans for next season, I knew my time here wasn’t finished. I wanted to see what new challenges were waiting for me with this team.

“Being part of this Saints side – top of the PREM table and into the Champions Cup knock‑outs – has been really special.

"I want to achieve things with this group, win trophies and run out in front of a full house here in Northampton.

“The squad is so competitive, so the opportunity to learn and improve alongside these players and the amazing coaches here is incredibly exciting. And personally, living in a completely different way and sharing this whole experience with my fiancée has been amazing.

“I feel very lucky to be here, living my dream as a rugby player, and to share it with my better half.

"I’m excited for what comes next for us in Northampton.”