Belleau 'still learning' the Saints way

Northampton Saints fly-half Anthony Belleau says he's still got lots to learn as they target three titles this season.

The 29-year-old French international fly-half joined last summer after they finished eighth in the league and he has already scored 110 points in 13 appearances across all competitions.

Saints are currently top of the Premiership after 10 matches, while they finished second in their group and qualified for the last 16 of the Champions Cup and have won four of their six Prem Rugby Cup matches so far.

"Being a Saints player is different than a normal rugby player because the academy works so well here," Belleau told BBC Radio Northampton.

"The young players when they train with us know everything of the gameplan, the way we want to play, the mindset, how we communicate together. It's very impressive.

"So I feel I'm part of that side of the team, too, because I'm still learning. I try to share with them how to manage the pressure around the game, but from a rugby point of you I'm at the same point."

Belleau made his competitive debut in October away to Saracens in the Prem Cup.

He says the Saints style is great fun to play:

"Especially as we had a long pre-season with lots of meetings with Sam Vesty [head coach] and Jake Sharp [development coach] to understand 'how can I get involved in every phase, how can I manage the game as fly-half'.

"This is very enjoyable as a fly-half, because we play offensive, attacking rugby. We like to move the ball fast."

This is the Belleau's first spell in England after nine seasons with Toulon and then Clermont Auvergne.

He said there is a "good balance" in how his role differs playing in the English league, compared to in France.

"In France we like to say the famous 'Jouer, jouer ['keeping playing']," Belleau added.

"We have so many talented players, but sometimes we can miss the structure because in France we are so emotional about the game, especially when we play at home.

"We often say that English rugby is too structured sometimes, but I would say the Saints way gives you balance between giving you freedom to try something, to play what you see, and also to play together and be on the same page.

"I really enjoy this balance because Sam is very open-minded about the way we play. We have our structure, but everyone is ready to play if you want to change it."

One of Belleau's new club team-mates is England back-row forward, Henry Pollock.

The 21-year-old was booed by french rugby fans when Saints recently played in Bordeaux, but Belleau says the reaction is really admiration.

"Again, I think it's because of our emotional side," Belleau said.

"We take personally what Henry does sometimes because he likes to celebrate and they think he's doing something bad.

"But he didn't do or say anything to anyone. Yes - they were booing him, but at the end of the game everyone wanted to take a picture with him."

Listen to the full episode of 'The Saints Show' featuring Antony Belleau in conversation on BBC Sounds