Doug Howlett is to leave Munster Rugby in the autumn.
The province’s Head of Commercial and Marketing wishes to return to his native New Zealand.
The 40-year-old All Black has spent 11 years in Munster, having joined as a player in 2008. He helped Munster win the Heineken Cup that season, two subsequent Celtic Leagues, and become club captain in his final season, 2012-13.
Howlett said in a statement: “The privilege of playing for Munster Rugby, completing my MBA in UCC, and having the opportunity to run the province’s Commercial and Marketing programmes under the guidance of Garrett Fitzgerald, and the Commercial Board’s Niall FitzGerald and Patrick Coveney, have all been incredible experiences.
“It has been an extraordinary 11 years living in Ireland and I will always treasure my time in this special and unique club, and in Irish sport, academia and business.”
Howlett also linked up with the Cork hurlers backroom team earlier this year.
More to follow…