Saints prop Franks insists his performances will improve

Owen Franks admits he has yet to hit the heights at Saints.
Owen Franks has started four matches for Saints this seasonOwen Franks has started four matches for Saints this season
Owen Franks has started four matches for Saints this season

But the double World Cup winner insists his form will come good at Franklin's Gardens.

The New Zealand star made the move to Northampton last summer, leaving Super Rugby side the Crusaders after 10 seasons there.

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However, he has only been able to start four of Saints' 23 matches this season, coming off the bench on seven occasions.

And Franks, who is the All Blacks' most-capped prop with 108 Test appearances under his belt, said: "In a perfect world, it's probably not up to where I'd like to be.

"I've had some good games and some I wasn't really happy with but it's pretty tough coming from completely different environments and trying to get it right straight away.

"But I'm happy with where things are heading even if I have some work to do.

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"I've got to keep putting in the work, keep learning and keep picking things up from game to game.

"I'm getting acclimatised with the club and the people around it.

"I'm sure it will come good."

This season has been Franks' first in the Premiership.

"There's nothing that's really surprised me," he said.

"You hear it's physical and different things, but it's not until you experience it that you get a really good feel for it.

"For me, being in New Zealand I was at the same club for 10-plus years so it's always going to be a change going into a completely new setup.

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"Things are much the same but at different organisations they do things differently and it's about getting used to those things and different people.

"It's been really good, I'm enjoying it, it's an awesome challenge and I can't wait to get back into it."

Franks has settled in well at Saints, enjoying the environment.

And he added: "I really like the club and the people.

"The competition has been tough and the Premiership is definitely what I came over for.

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"It's probably a step up in terms of physicality and it's been really enjoyable.

"It's had some challenges but as far as what I came over here for - I've definitely got it.

"It's all been interrupted by this whole Covid thing but I'm looking forward to getting back into it with the guys, in whatever form, soon."