Paul Franze () (born 3 March 1982) is a former professional rugby league and rugby union footballer. He played for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks and the Penrith Panthers in the NRL, and for the Castleford Tigers (Heritage № 856) in the Super League, Gateshead Thunder in the Championship and Pia Donkeys in the Elite One Championship as well as a stint as a rugby union player for the London Irish in the Guinness Premiership. In both codes, Franze primarily played as a . Biography Childhood and early career Franze began playing rugby league in his home city of Newcastle for his local club, Raymond Terrace, while still at a young age. His talent was quickly spotted and he was signed by local NRL side the Newcastle Knights as a junior while still in his teens. His raw talent was also seen with his selection in the Junior Kangaroos Australian rugby league side. He went on to play in the lower grades but was never able to make his way into first grade until he was signed by the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. 2002 Franze began in the lower grades at the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks rugby league club for the beginning of the 2002 season, though he quickly impressed his coach Chris Anderson and worked his way into the first grade side at Cronulla making his début in round six against the Newcastle Knights at EnergyAustralia Stadium on 19 April. Franze maintained his first grade spot for the remainder of the 2002 season, scoring eight tries including a double in the finals series against the St George Illawarra Dragons. 2003-04 The 2003 season was potentially shaping up to be an impressive one for Franze after a solid début season in first grade at the Sharks. However, early on during the Sharks' new season campaign, he sustained a season-ending knee injury, requiring him to have a knee reconstruction, and a lengthy recovery process meant he could take no further part in the season. After recovering from his serious knee injury during the majority of the 2003 season, Franze made his return to the Sharks' first grade side midway through the 2004 season. However, he was never able to regain his old form and spent the majority of his time in reserve grade before being released from the club at the end of the season. 2005 Franze was signed by the Penrith Panthers at the beginning of