Howlett turns back to start of rhapsody in red

HAVING just moved on from the emotional rollercoaster that saw him face his native New Zealand at Thomond Park, Doug Howlett is likely to feel more than a tinge of sentiment when he returns to Stade Marcel Michelin on Sunday, the scene of his Munster debut.

Certainly the All Black picked a good one to begin his journey in red in last January’s corresponding fixture. It had an epic quality about it, with tries, three yellow cards (and two subsequent citings) and the unseemly sight of referee Rob Debney being hounded from the field by enraged home fans and ASM Clermont Auvergne hooker, Mario Lesdesma, following a few controversial penalty decisions that saw Munster nick a losing bonus point (Clermont won 26-19).

If there is whiff of cordite in the air, however, Howlett doesn’t believe last season’s controversy-cloaked fixture will bring any added spice to events in two days’ time. “I certainly didn’t feel that it was controversial — maybe I was wrapped in my own little world, with it being my first Heineken Cup game and outing for Munster. I’m not sure of the history between Munster and Clermont but we don’t see anything that way this weekend.