Born in Motueka, Franks moved to Christchurch when he was 10 years old. A member of the Linwood club, Franks has represented New Zealand at Colts and Secondary School level. After a barnstorming 2008 season with Canterbury and 2009 season with the Crusaders, Franks was called into the All Blacks squad and came on as a substitute in the victory over Italy at AMI Stadium. His older brother Ben, also a prop, has been a Crusader for the last two seasons and plays for Tasman. Owen has now established himself as one of the best tighthead props in New Zealand.