Howlett out for the season

Bad blow for Munster, commiserations to the fans.

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/9761.php

Hope the guy will come back next year, although that might be difficult, especially with the reduction of NIQ spots.

That's rough.

Hurley/Zebo/Murphy for the season?

When is Jones back?

Balls.
Super player. hope to see him in munster red again

That is a real blow for Munster. If Howlett is on his way at the end of teh season it is a real shame for him as well.

It would be a horrible way for him to bow out, that's for sure. I think he has been a great player for Munster, the kind of player that Cullen could have been.

Oh dear. Despite a disappointing year Earls, Howlett, Jones was my favourite back three of any team last season. Now they're all out injured and the double header is coming up.

flip that is bad news. He was in great form as well. In my eyes Howlett might just be the best overseas signing ever to come to Irish soil, certainly one of the best, so hopefully this isn't the last of him for Munster.

Its a great opportunity for Zebo to show what he can do though.

Oh dear God no

Devastating.

Boll-ocks. Well, Zebo & O'Dea will have to step up to the plate. Because I see Hurley as our best FB available at the moment, no disrespect to Murphy. Jones & Earls really cannot return (fully fit of course) quick enough. Otherwise we're going to require awful weather & a sympathetic to the condidtions referee to take two wins wins from the double header, and to be honest if we don't at the very least get a losing BP while not shipping a try bonus and then a minimum win and no losing BP for Scarletts, then I think we're going to be in serious trouble to emerge from the pool.

I dont mean that to sound disrespectful to Scarletts, Saints or Castres. Indeed, I'd take it as a compliment that I genuinely feel that we need 5 wins from 5 going into that game in Milton Keynes. Anything less will mean having to win that final game and I dont see Northampton being too charitable come January.

Poor Dougie, I really hope that this isn't the end of his time with Munster. Thorough professional that understood and signed up to the Munster ethos 100%. A true great of the game. Hope the recovery goes as smoothly as possible, from both the career and post career points of view.

Not to add fuel to the fire lads but Poite is reffing this weekend.
If ye get on top in the scrums early you could get a lot of penalties out of him. If not, it could take another miricle performance to win it. If any team can produce a miracle though...

Doug Howlett for Munster backs coach

Not what we need at the moment. Hopefully Zebo will step up to the plate big time.

Terrible news. Howlett is such a legend, it really shows that he gives 110% in every game he plays for Munster. He is one of the all time greats in my eyes, always loved watching him and if he had stuck to international rugby I'm sure he would be top try scorer by now.

However for Zebo, this is his chance to shine. He has his chance to make his mark on the HEC, and possibly be in contention for Ireland selection come the 6 nations. He looks a very talented player.

Earls - Jones - Zebo

That could be just as dangerous as last year's back 3. Future all Munster back three for Ireland? With the likes of Gilroy, Carr, Kearney Jr and Conway challenging of course.

No way will Munster ever have the full back 3 of Ireland. Massive blow, Earlsy we need you back soon! Zebo is talented but it's asking a lot in what would be his first HC game. Still Hurley stepped up in his first HC game.

If they had the best back 3, why not? I am not saying they will, I am saying it could potentially happen.

I don't think that will be the best. Bowe has a good 4/5 years left, there's Trimble,Gaston,Gilroy,Conway,R Kearney and a lot of ther guys. Zebo might miss the boat on international duty.

I don't think Bowe/Trimble will last that long.. maybe not the next world cup as they would both be in their 30s, which for a winger is old. They may have lost a good bit of pace, as they are both big players. I think all of those players listed will challenge but potentially I also think that munster back 3 will. Jones I think will definitely make the 15 shirt his own eventually. Earls probably will have the 11 shirt in the 6 nations.

Jeez Thomond Zebo is only 21 hasnt played a hc game yet, has bags of potential and you have him on the scrapheap already. Regardless of Ireland he is more than likely starting next sat and has the game to be a matchwinner for us, at least give him a chance to fail.

Gutted about Dougie..

I don't have him on the scrapheap, I love the guy have since he had been at PBC. He is a great asset for us on Saturday, I said he might finid it difficult on Sat. It's his first HC game and start most guys don't get instant results. I was a bit presumptious on the international duty. He is faster than I thought actually.

Very very sad, this is one of his last seasons and he has been in his best form.

Feel sorry for Howlett, but also for rugby in general.

Thomond wrote:I don't have him on the scrapheap, I love the guy have since he had been at PBC. He is a great asset for us on Saturday, I said he might finid it difficult on Sat. It's his first HC game and start most guys don't get instant results. I was a bit presumptious on the international duty. He is faster than I thought actually.

He is both a fast runner and very quick footed. Looks to have an eye for the line. Has the strength to back it up too! My kind of winger, and I really hope he makes the step up.

I'm sorry for all the Munster fans out there, I really am. No other player in his position for Munster is anywhere near Howlett. Don't take this the wrong way guy's although players like Earls and Zebo have no doubt got potential they are nowhere near Howlett in terms of pedigree or ability. This man has taken the Munster way into his soul and if he was playing Tolouse or Airioni he always gives 100%. He will be a massive loss to you lot and a massive loss to the Pro 12 league as well. Get well soon Doug.

Gutted for him. He's one of my favourite players and he's been in brilliant form for Munster this season. Wish him the best on his recovery.

red_stag wrote:Doug Howlett for Munster backs coach

+1 - Dougie has been our best overseas signing since Jim Williams. A true pro and try scoring machine.

Deservers to be kept at Munster in a coaching role and lets face it our back play is not exactly cutting edge at the moment

Jebus h crystals now zebo has gone and done his ankle...

http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2011/1206/howlettd.html

Wtf!!!!!

Sheamus was great and became a great coach, but we wouldnt have won in 08 without Rua..most influential signing, plus when he played was the last time our backline played with any fluency

How long is Zebo out for? Terrible news.

No idea. Left training on crutches

Jeezo double whammy for Munster, Howlett remains my favourite winger of all time (after big Lomu of course). Could we not sign him as our backs coach up at Ulster fo next year? We could sure use him ;-)

Gutted for the guy. Not just an Munster legend but an All Black legend. As good as their wings are now i would have a Howlett in his prime in my top all black team (in the era that i have seen). For me he was better than Rocokoko, Sivivatu, Lomu etc although he didnt have the same impact/appeal of the last

Had he stayed in NZ I think he would still be starting for them. They had one natural winger (Guildford) during the RWC. They could have used Howlett for sure. He would be on my best all blacks team ever also, from what I have seen. A back three of him, Cullen and Lomu is mouth watering!

Great to read a post where so many hold an outstanding player in such high regard.

Oh Zebo is out too i feel ill. Im guessing that's

11 Barnes
12 Mafi
13 Chambers
14 Murphy
15 Hurley

Any chance we could see O’Leary start out of position?
In the center or on the wing maybe?

Could be unlikely IMO though. Scott Deasy will cover back 3 most likely

Togh break for Munster and Dougie, hope the recovery goes well and that he doesn't bow out on that performance against the Ospreys!

Always scarred of Howlett when we play Munster, massive loss for them - he always looks dangerous.

Have you got any strike runners left ?

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Had he stayed in NZ I think he would still be starting for them. They had one natural winger (Guildford) during the RWC. They could have used Howlett for sure. He would be on my best all blacks team ever also, from what I have seen. A back three of him, Cullen and Lomu is mouth watering!

They had Jane as well and as much as I love Dougie Howlett, he would be way down the pecking order for the ABs.

Gear, Rockocoko, Sivivatu didn't make the squad
Add Ranger, Maitland to the mix

Bathite wrote:

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Had he stayed in NZ I think he would still be starting for them. They had one natural winger (Guildford) during the RWC. They could have used Howlett for sure. He would be on my best all blacks team ever also, from what I have seen. A back three of him, Cullen and Lomu is mouth watering!

They had Jane as well and as much as I love Dougie Howlett, he would be way down the pecking order for the ABs.

Gear, Rockocoko, Sivivatu didn't make the squad
Add Ranger, Maitland to the mix

Thats true but I think he's been one of the outstanding wingers in the NH over the last few seasons and would still walk into most international sides despite not being quite as fast as he was. He's an outstanding player and if you were going to pick a winger to show to young kids to play like it would be Howlett. His finishing, support play, defence and commitment are all still top drawer and even at 32/33 he's no slouch when it comes to speed.

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:Togh break for Munster and Dougie, hope the recovery goes well and that he doesn't bow out on that performance against the Ospreys!

I could be wrong but if Dougie recovers back to full fitness he will easily get another year in Munster. He and his family are well settled in Cork and I think he wants to stay as long as he can.

Just wondering what happens in cases like this and payne up north where top class players are ruled out for the season. What do they do? Do they just do work with the physios? If so could they not be used to coach the youngsters in the squads?

DOD wrote:

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:Togh break for Munster and Dougie, hope the recovery goes well and that he doesn't bow out on that performance against the Ospreys!

I could be wrong but if Dougie recovers back to full fitness he will easily get another year in Munster. He and his family are well settled in Cork and I think he wants to stay as long as he can.

I dont think you are wrong. If it isn't possible due to NIQ I would like to see him come into a coaching role.

red_stag wrote:

DOD wrote:

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:Togh break for Munster and Dougie, hope the recovery goes well and that he doesn't bow out on that performance against the Ospreys!

I could be wrong but if Dougie recovers back to full fitness he will easily get another year in Munster. He and his family are well settled in Cork and I think he wants to stay as long as he can.

I dont think you are wrong. If it isn't possible due to NIQ I would like to see him come into a coaching role.

What’s the IRFU policy on it? I know Hines and Warwick were offered short contracts because of their age, but I couldn’t imagine it would be a problem for Howlett to sign for just one year, I’d imagine he’s there until he retires anyway. Or could the IRFU just refuse a new contract altogether?

They could Mick. The 1 year contract is no problem. But we are reducing down to 4 NIQ and that gammy scrumbag project player scheme.

So who are your other NIQ’s?

Borlase is a (n awesome idea) project player
Chambers is on a short term deal
Mafi is 1

I actually can’t think of the others, but surely they’re not good enough to keep Doug (Nacewa lite) Howlett out of the picture.

I forget that Chambers was short term.

NIQ - Wian Du Preez
NIQ - BJ Botha
NIQ - Lifeimi Mafi
NIQ - Will Chambers (but only short term deal)

Project Player - Peter Borlase

Borlase is a dead weight. Scrap him.

Du Preez and Botha are the others. Any good IQ looseheads lying around that could replace Dupreez so you can keep Howlett?

Golden wrote:Du Preez and Botha are the others. Any good IQ looseheads lying around that could replace Dupreez so you can keep Howlett?

Yes Darragh Hurley. However the man is a walking injury. I am genuinely convinced he'd be in the Irish squad were he not so injury prone.

Despite a lot of injuries is only 25 (very young as props go). Has played a good bit of Heineken Cup and Magners League as well as playing for the Wolfhounds. Did well in the HEC last season against London Irish but injured again so has taken a step back.

Looks like you’d be sorted so. When Chambers is gone get Doug another contract for at least a year.

He’s not centrally contracted so the IRFU don’t need to pay him, tap adidas up for a few bob to pay the All Blacks top try scorer ever and happy days.

Consultancy fee in the post.