Unwanted All Black Owen Franks made a triumphant return to provincial rugby as Canterbury made its three straight wins.

Playing his first game for Canterbury in nine years, the veteran tight-head prop got through 50 minutes in their 42-12 Mitre 10 Cup victory over Northland in Whangarei last night.

Franks, who has played 108 tests since debuting in 2009, was a controversial omission from the All Blacks’ 31-man Rugby World Cup squad.

Franks is desperate to keep up his form and fitness, should there be any All Blacks’ front row injuries at the World Cup and he be called up.

In today’s games, Taranaki will play Bay of Plenty at 2.35pm, Southland hosts Manawatu at 5.05pm while Manukau will face Auckland at 7.35 tonight.

(Source: stuff.co)