Anthony Belleau, 30, has successfully relaunched his career with Northampton Saints, establishing himself as a reliable backup player in the Premiership during his first season with the club. He has started in six league matches, competing with the preferred fly-half of the Saints, Fin Smith. Belleau, who has earned 12 caps with the French national team, is now considering whether he can secure a place in the squad for November’s matches next year. Though it is still too early to determine his long-term physical condition, Belleau has been impressing at Northampton. In a recent video, he is seen in the middle of an activation exercise, executing chisteras and passes with surgical precision. He displays a wide smile and a calm demeanor, which he appears to have gained during his move to England, something he lacked during his last appearances in France. Snubbed by the French team since November 2018, the player, who has played 234 professional matches, is working hard to qualify for selection again. Although the current hierarchy in the French team seems clear, the injury of Matthieu Jalibert, expected to last at least six weeks, could create an opening at the 10 position. It is premature to suggest that Belleau is on Fabien Galthié’s short list for the French team, especially since the season has not even started in England. However, Belleau has valuable experience at the top level, a rarity among French fly-halves, where only Romain Ntamack, Thomas Ramos, and obviously Matthieu Jalibert are widely recognized as solid players. Léo Berdeu, Antoine Hastoy, and Joris Segonds have all had opportunities with the French team, but none have made a significant impact in this position. The current fly-half of the Saints clearly stands out from his competitors. The resumption of the English championship takes place this weekend (Friday, September 25), and Anthony Belleau appears very sharp. Belleau took the risk of moving abroad again after a stint at Clermont, where he experienced both good and bad moments, often overshadowed by Jules Plisson or Benjamin Urdapilleta. He had previously played for Toulon and Clermont. It is hard not to see a connection with his explosive debut in the French team: at only 20 years old, Belleau joined the national squad as early as November 2017, thrust into the spotlight before he had even fully established himself in his club. He had just begun his second professional season with Toulon. Compared to the young Beauden Barrett by the New Zealand press, he had to manage immense pressure for a player still in the process of development. This accelerated start to his career may partly explain the years of doubt that followed, and from which he seems to have finally freed himself at Northampton.