All Blacks duo Leroy Carter and Simon Parker have both agreed new deals with New Zealand Rugby (NZR), Northampton Saints have re-signed France international Anthony Belleau amid Top 14 interest and Marco Riccioni is set to join Perpignan.
Leroy Carter and Simon Parker re-commit to NZR
Current All Blacks stars Carter and Parker have become the latest Test players to re-commit to NZR, following the likes of Cam Roigard in penning new deals.
As part of their new contracts with the national side, they have also recommitted to Super Rugby Pacific outfit the Chiefs, as well as their respective provinces, Bay of Plenty and Northland.
Former Sevens man Carter has become a mainstay in the All Blacks starting XV in his maiden Test season with the All Blacks, making his debut against the Springboks in Wellington and adding five further caps. Parker also made his debut in the 2025 Rugby Championship and has notched eight caps in total since.
Commenting on his new contract, Carter said: “I don’t want to play for another club, so it was a pretty easy decision. It’s a club I grew up wanting to play for, and it’s a dream come true, so I’m excited to put pen to paper pretty early doors, and I’m looking forward to it.”
On his respective deal, Parker said: “I guess this is the sort of stage you start thinking about what’s next. You don’t want to leave it too late, obviously. So it was a bit of a no-brainer for me and my family, we’ve got our family roots planted where we are, so it’s quite nice to have some security that’s where you’re going to be for the next couple of seasons.”
Also commenting, Chiefs head coach Jono Gibbes added: “It’s great to see these two recommit to the Chiefs. They are outstanding team members who bring that special X-factor to what they do on the field. They’re a big part of the Chiefs’ future on the field and off it.”
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Northampton Saints re-sign Anthony Belleau amid Top 14 interest
France international Belleau has recommitted his future to PREM side Northampton Saints, following a strong first season at the club.
His decision to continue his time in the East Midlands comes amid reports linking him with an immediate return to the Top 14, with Toulon tipped as a potential landing spot for the 11-capped Test player.
Commenting on his new deal, Belleau said: “Last season, when I made the decision to move away from France, it was a real challenge for me as a rugby player. 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.
“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.”
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Saints director of rugby Phil Dowson added: “Anthony is a big signing for us. The fly‑half role is integral to every team, but particularly for us at Saints given how we want to play the game. We want genuine competition at 10, and Anthony gives us that.
“When we signed him, he had other offers, but he chose Saints because he believed we would push him and help progress his game. That said a lot.
“What’s impressed us even more since then is his willingness to learn and muck in. He’s thrown himself into everything within our environment at Saints, but also off the field too – by exploring the country, connecting with the local community (including a few French restaurant owners in town), and fully immersing himself in life in Northampton.
“He’s still learning our system, but he brings Test‑level experience of marshalling territory, managing the kick‑pass balance, knowing when to run the ball, and being the general. He gives us the opportunity to perform at the highest level and drives competition within the squad, so we are delighted to be keeping Anthony here in Northampton.”
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Marco Riccioni to make Top 14 switch
While Belleau might be remaining in the PREM for the foreseeable future, fellow English-based player Riccioni will be heading across the Channel at the end of the season, according to reports.
As per L’Equipe, the Italian international is set to join Perpignan on a three-year deal from next season, bringing his five-year stint at Saracens to an end.
The 28-year-old tighthead joined the North London side from Benetton in 2021 after their return to the PREM, and has since made 68 appearances for the club. In that time, he has helped the club win one PREM title.
He has also been a regular member of the Italian side since his debut in 2019, winning 36 Test caps for his country at the time of writing.
Riccioni might not be the only Saracen heading to France at the end of the season, either, with Samoa international Theo McFarland understood to be joining La Rochelle.