Dougie Howlett to stay on at Munster

Judgement Day

On RTE's lunchtime news - Dougie Howlett has extended his contract with Munster for another year. Yippee!!

http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2010/0226/howlettd.html

Doug Howlett happy to stay at Munster
Friday, 26 February 2010 13:39
Doug Howlett will remain with Munster until the end of the season at least.

It has been confirmed that 31-year-old Howlett, who won his 49th competitive Munster cap last weekend against Edinburgh, has agreed terms for the coming season with an option for a further season.

'Obviously I'm delighted to be remaining on here with Munster,' Howlett said. 'Professionally it's been a good move for me and on the personal side my family are enjoying our time here and are very happy to remain for the immediate future.

'With the contract side of things now settled I'm looking forward to what I believe will be a very exciting second part of the season and hoping to play my part in helping Munster achieve success on the field.'

Munster coach Tony McGahan expressed his satisfaction when he said: 'I'm delighted we're retaining the services of a player of Doug's proven calibre.

'Doug's contribution to the squad and management on and off the field has been central to our success since he arrived here two years ago.

'Next season is going to be particularly challenging given it's a World Cup season. With our commitment to the international squad we would expect to be introducing more and more of our emerging young players. So it will be very advantageous to have a player of his quality and experience to call on.

'It's great news for Munster Rugby.'

d'Oracle

I wasn't aware that there was any doubt about this.....

anonymous_joe

So he's not going for 2011? Wow. That kinda surprises me if I'm honest.

I'd assume it's because of Guildford's development really.

thomond2006

This gives us great depth on the wing.

Howlett
Murphy
Hurley
Dowling
Jones (when fit)

Podge_irl

anonymous_joe wrote: »

So he's not going for 2011? Wow. That kinda surprises me if I'm honest.

I'd assume it's because of Guildford's development really.

In fairness, while it's understandable he may have wanted to take a shot at it, he was never going to get into the ABs squad anyway, even if he went home.

It's great news for Munster.

ForeverYoung90

Great news Howlett is staying!:)
Just out of curiousity does anyone know the yearly salary he earns playing with Munster?Obviously hes not on soccer player wages but he must be one of the higher earners at Munster.

buck65

I think De Villiers scooped a contract of €400k for one year so I'd reckon Dougie would be in the region of €250k a year?
It was the best move for all involved, Doug's attacking prowess has waned but his defence, strength and experience is invaluable to us. Realistically he never stood a chance of an AB panel place.
Not sure where Johne Murphy fits into all this though, surely someone (Dowling, Barry Murphy or Hurley) will have to make way?

thomond2006

All things being equal, Hurley will make way in the starting XV.

Murphy's signing seems a bit unnecessary now, but he's Irish qualified so it doesn't matter I suppose.

I hope we don't sign another NIQ back. We have enough foreigners around with Mafi and Howlett, there are a lot of young players who can play a HEC bench role.

9. TOL
10. ROG
11. Howlett
12. Mafi
13. Earls
14. Murphy
15. Warwick

20. Stringer
21. Hurley
22. Gleeson / Jones (when fit)

buck65

I like Hurley on the wing , strength and pace, Dowling has strength in spades but not so much pace yet has never let us down. Would hate to see either go , if I had to choose I would keep Hurley.
Barry Murphy really is the man losing out and maybe a change would be a good move for him?

thomond2006

Barry Murphy has been very unlucky with injury, the one in 05/06 particularly came at a bad time for him.

I think he may well move on.

I'm sure Connacht would offer him a contract.

Aidric

Delighted with this news. Even if he had left at the end of the season he would have been a Munster hero.

PhatPiggins

Aidric wrote: »

Delighted with this news. Even if he had left at the end of the season he would have been a Munster hero.

Dont think he's ever hit his All Black form with us to be honest but still been a decent signing and his commitment could never be questioned.

thomond2006

ForeverYoung90 wrote: »

Great news Howlett is staying!:)
Just out of curiousity does anyone know the yearly salary he earns playing with Munster?

As far as I know, his present contract is €850,000 for 2.5 years (He arrived January 2008).

That's €340,000 per year.

anonymous_joe

Podge_irl wrote: »

In fairness, while it's understandable he may have wanted to take a shot at it, he was never going to get into the ABs squad anyway, even if he went home.

It's great news for Munster.

Well I think a year ago he might have. There was f all depth on the wings for NZ then. More so now.

bamboozle

Munster really have to focus now on getting a top quality back rower...i'm half expecting them to announce the signing of George Smith in the next few months

PhatPiggins

thomond2006 wrote: »

As far as I know, his present contract is €850,000 for 2.5 years (He arrived January 2008).

That's €340,000 per year.

I think he's getting closer to half that for the extension year. Have no linkible source for the info though.

thomond2006

bamboozle wrote: »

Munster really have to focus now on getting a top quality back rower...i'm half expecting them to announce the signing of George Smith in the next few months

If Nick Williams leaves and Quinlan retires (which I doubt) at the end of the season, then I would get Smith.

Munster have plenty of depth in the back row (Coughlan, Ronan, Holland, D Ryan) and lots of youngsters coming through: O'Donnell, O'Mahony, Butler etc.

Having said that, our youngsters would learn a lot from an icon like Smith.

Hyperbullet

This is great news. He may have lost a small bit of his attacking prowess but his defensive abilities and his work rate are just brilliant.

Kinda seems pointless signing Murphy now though...