the 2005 season and placed into the Panthers first grade team by coach John Lang, making his début in round one of the season in an eventual loss to his former club, the Sharks. Franze finished the season with eleven tries from twenty-one appearances. Franze represented the Federazione Italiana Rugby League (FIRL) against the Greece Rugby League at Marconi Stadium - Sydney. This was Franze's first game for the Azzurri and scored 3 tries on debut. At the end of the 2005 season with Franze being off contract, many English rugby union teams took an interest in him and he eventually decided to sign with the London Irish.. 2006 Franze made his début for the London Irish rugby union club in the Guinness Premiership at the beginning of the 2006 season playing for the club at centre. He made the adjustment of switching codes quickly impressing fans and pundits alike with strong performances in several games including a superb try which many labelled the try of the season against Agen. After making several appearances for his new club, Franze put in a request to his new club asking for his contract to be terminated so that he could return to rugby league. The request was granted by the London Irish rugby director Brian Smith. After signing on to play rugby league again with the Castleford Tigers, Franze made his début for the club in their round nine clash against the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats on 14 April; He was named on the bench, eventually coming off to make his début late in the match. Franze went on to make another two appearances for the struggling Tigers before dramatically deciding to opt out of the remaining time on his contract, citing fatigue as this was the beginning of "his third straight season of rugby" without an off-season. After terminating his contract with the Castleford team, Franze decided "to take a break from the game" for the time being. Franze signed a two-year deal with the Newcastle Knights in July 2006. 2007-09 Franze signed with the Pia Donkeys in the French Rugby League at the end of 2007. He has now signed with the Gateshead Thunder. Franze left Gateshead Thunder at the end of the 2009 Season following the club entering administration. Career playing statistics Matches played References External links Paul Franze NRL Profile Notes "London Irish win race to sign NRL star