Franks impressed with culture Boyd has created at Saints

Franks starred for the Crusaders in Super Rugby before switching to Saints last summer.

And the 32-year-old prop has a storied history at international level, racking up the most caps of any New Zealand prop, earning 108 Test appearances in total.

He won two World Cups with the All Blacks but is now testing himself in Europe with Saints.

Chris Boyd has helped to make the black, green and gold competitors for silverware again since arriving in the summer of 2018.

And Franks has been impressed with the culture his compatriot has conjured up at Franklin's Gardens.

"I wasn't a part of the culture beforehand but from what I hear, he's turned things around a lot," Franks said.

"They had some success in 2014 and a bit beyond that but maybe there was a dip in form and the culture could have been part of that.

"But it sounds like he (Boyd) has let the players lead things a bit more and have some more ownership and I know the feeling around the group is that everyone likes playing for him.

"It's definitely a positive culture, there's no negativity.

"I've been part of good cultures in my career - and this is definitely one of them."

Franks has made 11 appearances for Saints so far, with seven of them coming from the bench.

And he added: "From what I hear, they dug themselves out of a bit of a hole last season and really backed that up this season.

"I've only really been a part of the latter part.

"It seems like a team that's really starting to find some consistency.

"There's really good depth in the squad and it's exciting to be a part of."

Currently in self-isolation like the rest of his team-mates, Franks will be an interested spectator when Super Rugby resumes in New Zealand.

It is set to be back on TV screens next month.

And Franks said: "They're playing some domestic games in New Zealand and they are back into it early but I suppose there's also a lot of uncertainty around Super Rugby and the viability of the competition, especially with everything that's going on now.

"It looks like they're having a big review of the whole thing because it probably hasn't been as successful in terms of fans watching it and filling stadiums, especially compared to the Premiership where fans turning up to games is not a problem.

"But I am looking forward to seeing some rugby on TV and hopefully Crusaders can take off from where they left off."