'We have to break the spell', says Saints prop Franks

Owen Franks says losing can become a habit during tough times - and the World Cup winner is desperate for Saints to 'break that spell' against Sale Sharks on Tuesday evening.
Owen FranksOwen Franks
Owen Franks

Saints have lost six successive home matches at Franklin's Gardens, and 11 of their past 13 games home and away.

It has been a sobering run that has seen them slip down to seventh in the Gallagher Premiership standings.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

And New Zealand legend Franks said: "A bit like winning, when you string a few losses together it almost becomes a habit.

"The bounce of the ball doesn't seem to go your way and you just need to break that spell with a win, which is what we're searching for.

"It would be awesome for our squad to get a win this week."

Games have come thick and fast for Saints since the restart last month, and so have the defeats.

"It's been all hands to the pump," Franks said.

"When you're not playing and another squad is preparing you overlap sometimes and for the coaches it's been chaos."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Franks, one of only 20 players to have won the World Cup twice, has racked up 16 appearances for Saints since joining the club from Super Rugby side the Crusaders last year.

And he said: "Life's been good.

"Obviously being on a losing streak hasn't been great but as far as the rugby goes, I've been enjoying it.

"I've been enjoying being in this competition - this is what I came here for, so I'm happy.

"Being away from home is good, I'm enjoying being in England in this part of the world. It will be nice when we can travel a bit more but it was the change I needed.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"It's a bit different for my wife because she's got a big family back home and is really close with them so she has her times, but hopefully I can take her back to New Zealand to see her family.

"Overall, it's all good."

So has anything surprised Franks about the Premiership?

"It kind of reaffirmed everything I heard and knew about it, but you need to experience things yourself to understand it properly," he said.

"I feel like the more I play, the more I'm growing in this competition.

"It's tough but it's an awesome competition - the fact you've got 10 or so teams with so little between them makes for an exciting competition but also a tough one.

"Every game is must-win game.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"From a playing point of view, the physicality of it is definitely a step up from Super Rugby, I've found.

"The size of some of the forwards over here is on another level, but it's something I've really enjoyed and plays into why I play rugby so it's been cool."

While Franks has been holding down a position at tighthead, on the other side of the scrum Saints have been beset by injuries.

All four senior loosehead props are currently missing, opening the door for 19-year-old Senior Academy prop Manny Iyogun, who impressed at Exeter recently.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

And Franks said: "It's awesome when you see someone get that opportunity.

"Manny's in a position he probably didn't expect to be in, making that step up and it was awesome to see him do well at Exeter.

"If he keeps making steps in the right direction I think he can be pretty good.

"I've not really said too much to him because Manny's a quietly confident guy, very sure of himself.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"I've not had to give him too much advice about playing at the weekend - I think he's got that covered.

"One thing with young guys coming in, they don't lack any enthusiasm or self-belief and if Manny keeps improving and keeps his head down he can be pretty special."

Related topics: