Munster farewell for legend Howlett

As it turned out, Doug Howlett’s last act on a rugby pitch was to do what he did best during an illustrious career for the All Blacks and Munster — scoring a try.

The 34-year-old New Zealander, his country’s all-time record try scorer and one of rugby’s greatest players, was forced to announce his retirement yesterday, the decision taken by the Munster captain on medical advice following a shoulder injury suffered after touching down in the corner against Glasgow on March 30.

Typically, Howlett left others to do the talking, preferring not to make a statement as the province he served since January 2008 made the announcement yesterday.