Howlett return timed perfectly for Penney

Doug Howlett will be back in Munster colours here in La Rochelle this evening (6.30pm) for the first time in eight months after recovering from a career-threatening Achilles tendon injury.

The record-breaking New Zealander is raring to go following the long months of recuperation and he gives new coach Rob Penney the benefit of experience in a very youthful-looking Munster team against local side Stade Rochelais.

But, while Penney has allowed most of his big names to stay at home for this week-long pre-season tour — Munster follow up tonight’s match with home (Musgrave Park) fixtures against Bristol and London Irish over the next couple of weeks — there will be more than a passing interest in how some of the new signings fare.