Ben Franks to retire from professional rugby

Northampton Saints can today confirm that prop Ben Franks will retire from professional rugby at the end of the 2019/20 season.

The two-time World Cup winner, 35, has made 37 appearances to date in Black, Green and Gold having made the switch to Franklin’s Gardens in 2018.

Franks hangs up his boots with one of the most complete CVs in world rugby, having won two Rugby World Cups and earned just shy of 50 caps for New Zealand.

He arrived in Northampton following a three-year spell at London Irish, and was part of the side that lifted the Premiership Rugby Cup in his first season.

Before his move to the northern hemisphere, Franks notched up 130 Super Rugby appearances for the Crusaders and the Hurricanes, twice winning the title with the former in 2006 and 2008.

The prop made his Test debut for New Zealand in 2010 against Ireland; packing down in the front row alongside brother Owen, the duo become only the second pair of brothers to represent the All Blacks.

His performances earned him a place at the 2011 Rugby World Cup where New Zealand claimed an historic title on home soil, before Franks and the All Blacks went on to repeat the feat in 2015 – making him one of only 21 players ever to have been a part of two World Cup victories.