OWEN Franks, now of Northampton, formerly of New Zealand and the Crusaders, is in an ultra-exclusive club of one. He is the only front-row forward, and the only tighthead – the most gruelling, heavy-duty position on the pitch – to become a double World Cup winner, and a Test centurion.
Franks won two medals as the starting No.3 in the New Zealand sides that won the 2011 and 2015 finals, and then to cap a stellar international career crossed the 100-Test threshold against Australia in 2018, going on to make 108 appearances for the All Blacks in a decade-long international career.
Legendary Australian forwards John Eales and Phil Kearns are also part of the 21-strong group of players who have won the World Cup twice, as is Os du Randt, the celebrated Springbok loosehead, but none of them reached 100 caps, which gives you the measure of Franks’ extraordinary durability and quality.
It puts Franks in the most rarefied atmosphere there is in Rugby Union, at the apex of achievement alongside two other same-era All Black double world champions and centurions, his fellow Crusaders Richie McCaw and Sam Whitelock.
However, as Franks, 32, looks forward to getting back to work today at Franklin’s Gardens when Northampton meet Wasps, he will be hoping for some stability after a pretty turbulent 12 months in the day job.
It has been almost a year since he was the highest profile player to be axed from New Zealand’s 2019 World Cup plans when Steve Hansen left him out of the squad for Japan.
Then, having decided to follow his brother Ben, who is four years older and a fellow double world champion, by signing for Northampton at the start of the Premiership season, he first had to negotiate a thumb injury – and then the Covid lockdown.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Unbeaten Lymm put the Tykes on a leash
LYMM maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign, taking the major scalp of Leeds Tykes and ending the visitors' unblemished start.
Dramatic late win boosts leaders
A LAST-minute converted try saw Tonbridge Juddians snatch victory from the jaws of defeat at Barnes.
England need to be more consistent
I WAS at last week's game against the All Blacks and as much as I enjoyed my first visit to the stadium since the Six Nations, I couldn't help noticing a different attitude of those in control of the stadium's notification system which puts out messages to the crowd.
Cuthbert: Wales have to deliver
ALEX Cuthbert says the pressure on Wales is huge ahead of their opening Autumn Nations Series game against Fiji today.
Anyanwu heads the list of star attractions
TOP 14 transfer speculation is always thoroughly entertaining, and this season has so far been no exception.
Goldthorp can challenge Kildunne for No.15 spot
LOUGHBOROUGH Lightning head coach Nathan Smith is backing Fran Goldthorp to compete with Ellie Kildunne, right, for England's No.15 jersey.
Four-try David calls the shots for Bears
MILLIE David helped Bristol blow Leicester away after scoring four of their 10 tries at Welford Road.
Scott-Young keen to follow his father
TYPICAL of most Australians, Scott-Young Angus has fairly sunny disposition and the loose forward is confident that Saints can soon start to turn things around on the road.
When value for money is not part of the deal
ENGLAND'S bench strategy against New Zealand - goodbye \"bomb squad\", hello \"squib squad\"-has been investigated, psychoanalysed, convicted on all charges and mercilessly sentenced by the entire rugby world and its maiden aunt, so there is no earthly point in returning to the scene of the crime.
'I want to prove my worth to Bath'
OUT-OF-FAVOUR winger RuBath aridh McConnochie is hoping to use the Premiership Cup to lay down a challenge to Johann van Graan and make his selection claims impossible to ignore.
