Franklin comes straight back into the team after an elbow injury sidelined him for nearly three months. He injured ligaments and tendons in his elbow while playing for the Highlanders against the Hurricanes in early June.
Otago coach Cory Brown said Franklin had been back training for three weeks and was a quality player welcomed back into the line up.
His inclusion has resulted in the impressive Josh Dickson moving to the blindside flank.
Flanker Theo Commissaris starts on the openside flank as James Lentjes still has issues with a concussion he picked up in the first game against Canterbury.
Charlie O'Connell gets a start at No 8 after impressing in his two appearances off the bench. Mika Mafi goes to the reserves.
Halfback Josh Renton comes back into the team having overcome a sprained ankle which forced him to miss the first two games of the season.
Kaide Whiting moves to the reserves.
In other changes in the backline, centre Jayden Spence returns to the side, recovering from a rolled ankle.
Matt Faddes, who played well at centre last week, goes back to the right wing with Tony Ensor moving to the reserves. Peter Breen will continue at fullback.
Brown said Breen had looked good at the back in his two opportunities so far and had been rewarded with selection.
Taranaki has been badly impacted by injury in its first two matches with captain James Marshall gone for the season after breaking a toe in the match against Auckland last Sunday.
Charlie Ngatai takes over the captaincy while All Black Beauden Barrett will take over from Marshall at fullback.
Taranaki's other All Black, lock James Broadhurst, is not available.
Big centre Seta Tamanivalu gets his first start of the season while Highlanders outside back Kurt Baker will play his 49th game for the province.
It will be the first time in five years the sides have met. Neither team has won a game yet so there will be more than a hint of desperation in the contest.
Otago v Taranaki
New Plymouth, tomorrow, 5.35pm
Otago: Peter Breen, Matt Faddes, Jayden Spence, Tei Walden, Jack Wilson, Fletcher Smith, Josh Renton, Charlie O'Connell, Theo Commissaris, Josh Dickson, Tom Franklin, Blair Tweed, Hisa Sasagi, Liam Coltman (captain), Craig Millar. Reserves: Sam Anderson Heather, Donald Brighouse, Aki Seiuli, Mika Mafi, Naulia Dawai, Kaide Whiting, Michael Collins, Tony Ensor.
Taranaki: Beauden Barrett, Codey Rei, Seta Tamanivalu, Charlie Ngatai (captain), Kurt Baker, Marty McKenzie, Te Toiroa Tahuiorangi, Iopu Iopu Aso, Berny Hall, Mitchell Crosswell, Blade Thomson, Mitchell Brown, Ryan Cocker, Sione Lea, Mitchell Graham. Reserves: Caleb Mawson, Reuben O'Neill, Jared Profit, Riki Hoeata, Toa Halafihi, Kylem O'Donnell, Sean Wainui, Jackson Ormond.
