WHEN DOUG HOWLETT was officially named captain of Munster it came as a shock to absolutely no-one involved with the province.
The New Zealander is now in his fifth season with the province and, when the announcement was made in August, he spoke about his immense pride in following on from ‘Paul (O’Connell), Axel (Foley), Mick Galwey and Jim Williams’.
With O’Connell making tentative steps back to fitness and players such as Jerry Flannery and Denis Leamy retiring in the past season, the 34-year-old is a key figure in a squad under construction.
The season started on a few positive notes and signs of coach Rob Penney’s attacking intent were apparent. However, an away day against Ospreys last weekend has caused flutters ahead of their Aviva Stadium clash with Leinster.
Howlett described the 30-15 humbling by the Pro12 champions as ‘a sideways step’ and is aware that a win at the Aviva this evening would be viewed as a massive leap forward for Munster.
“How we played the game wasn’t how we discussed it beforehand so it was a wake-up call ahead of this week and the weeks ahead,” he told TheScore.ie.
His team are in a transitional phase but not every corner is for second gear turns. Howlett said:
A real challenging game like this is what we need to find out exactly where we are. We had a little taster of that earlier in the season against Ulster, when we were short by one point – a torrid affair and all that.
“We’re expecting the same this week.”
Reaching the levels of last season
Leinster coach Joe Schmidt will be hoping that his side are capable of making Saturday torrid for Munster, especially as they were on the receiving end of a shellacking by Connacht in Galway last Friday.
In the lead-up to the Munster clash, Schmidt lamented the lack of selection consistency that has unsettled his side.
“It is important,” he said, “not to look too far ahead towards what we can do or what we can win this season without first getting back to the levels of rugby that served us so well last season.”
The timing of this home clash against Howlett and his Munster side is similar to last season (4 November rather than 6 October).
Schmidt would be delighted if his side could tough its way through 80 minutes, as they did in their Jonathan Sexton inspired 24-19 win last year, ahead of another challenging Heineken Cup campaign.
Something about positive from the FAI for a change.
He has been absolutely brilliant since arriving at the club. We are much improved defensively because of him alone. Turned down the chance to manage Fleetwood a month ago to learn under Tuchel. Hopefully, he has a similar impact for Ireland.
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: who’s we?
@Tosh Moher: Ah you’re one of those fans. I say “we” as in Chelsea. Or am I not allowed to say that? I watch every game, I get to say “we”. I hope that’s ok with you Tosh.
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: transformed our set pieces. Duffy will thrive
@Hugh: if only he could defend
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: a Flaming sword likes football….they’ll be raging on ailesbury road
@Danger: rugby, football, golf, GAA, you name it, I’ll watch it
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: darts, horse racing….
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: of course your allowed say that Noel, I just find it a contradiction that you as a Republic of lrl supporter would be also be a supporter of Chelsea FC a club and supporters that have a history of racism, and an owner of dubious wealth, and also a club with strong links to the British Army, not a “we” many Irish people would want to be.
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: that is grand and all but I have met few English supporters of their native home town football clubs like Man U, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal in Australia over 18 yrs and they all seem to have a less then favourable opinion of Irish people supporting their club, spending their hard earned cash on supporting their local club in Manchester, Leeds or London etc. Irish support for their club is about as relevant as a supporter from Hong Kong. I was actually quite surprised tbh.
@Patrick Lawlor: Why were you surprised? We’re not British, we have our own league. Irish fans filling out the Aviva for Liverpool v League of Ireland XI is no different to Hong Kongers filling out Hong Kong stadium for Liverpool v Kitchee FC. I think a lot of Irish fans like to think it is different for them. They deserve some special status as supporters of English football clubs. ‘Real fans’ etc etc For whatever reason, a lot of PL fans hate the idea of football tourists. It is okay for them to have a squad packed full of players from all over the world, but international fans are not welcome. Morons. Irish fans might as well be tourists too. But, as I said, they like to think they deserve some special status with English clubs.
An appointment based on merit and not a jobs-for-the-boys scheme. It’s a start.
Now that’s a good appointment. A glimmer of hope.
Great appointment..under the radar.. no leaks..hopefully like our defense..
Kenny has really freshened things up with Barry and Dean Kiely on board. Hopefully the way forward, need to improve quickly after a dreadful start. Good luck to them all.
Great news..under the radar appointment..
Boys we’re winning the World Cup
Hopefully will start the end of a parochial finish to International Irish football, go Stephen Kenny,
Did anyone get the date for the stoning of JD.. these bag of boulders I have are raring to flung… nothing like a good Saturday morning stoning, Stephen’s green would suffice as the venue, John only loved hanging around the green.
No chance they could have given Robbie Keane a gig. Considering he is being paid still anyway!