The San Diego Legion have announced the signing of former Highlanders lock Tom Franklin for the remainder of the 2021 Major League Rugby season. He arrives from Japan having recently completed his second season in the Top League with the Kobelco Steelers.
A member of New Zealand’s entry at the 2010 Junior World Championship, Franklin has also represented the New Zealand Māori on seven occasions. In 2016 he faced the US Eagles at Soldier Field and the following year lined up opposite Canada and the British & Irish Lions.
With six seasons of Super Rugby and eight provincial campaigns between Otago and Bay of Plenty, the 30-year-old brings considerable experience to the Legion as they make a late push for the postseason. Siaosi Mahoni has been named in the extended Eagles squad for the July tests. Ben Mitchell, Joshua Furno, and Victor Comptat are their other second row specialists.