News: It was the All Blacks' first match of the 2007 World Cup on a sweltering September evening in Marseille almost four months ago.

New Zealand had just blown away an Italian side that knew they would lose to the tournament favourites but were determined to be competitive - they failed; it was 38-0 after 20 minutes and 76-14 at the end.

The All Black winger Doug Howlett touched down three times, which left him level with Christian Cullen, on 46 tries, as New Zealand's record try-scorer in Test rugby (Howlett would go on to break Cullen's mark in New Zealand's 40-0 rout of Scotland at Murrayfield).

It was one of those days that illuminate tournaments. Setting a massive score, making an explicit threat to the other nations, with the Mediterranean a shimmering backdrop to Stade Velodrome and 60,000 high-spirited, perspiring fans, the world's most glamorous side in showboating mode struck quite a note.

After the match Howlett walked from the changing-rooms into the glare of the world media, still glistening with perspiration, the distinctive black poodle-top tied back from his brown face, the teeth flashing white.

"Well, Doug," called a voice from the crowd, "how do you feel about playing for Munster this season?"

As with politics, all media stories are local. Now, here he is, hot on the heels of Cullen, but without the fanfare that accompanied his predecessor.

Munster have replaced one All Black icon with another, which perhaps says as much about the Munster brand as about anything.

Inevitably, Howlett (29) will be told ad nauseam of how Cullen struggled with injury and left few lasting marks on Munster canvas.

"Christian's great, he's very happy in his new life," says Howlett. "I spoke to Christian before I came over and he said he enjoyed his time here and had good things to say about Cork and Limerick and Munster.

"I remember Anthony Horgan specifically because I marked him a few years ago in a Test at Lansdowne Road. And Ronan (O'Gara) and Peter (Stringer) obviously because they've been the nerve centre of Ireland for many years and we would have looked at them closely before Test matches in our analysis. To play alongside them now is very exciting."

Howlett will also know Munster set the bar high, and much will be expected of him, starting this weekend.

"Any foreigner coming in feels that pressure," he says. "I'll break it down to basics on the field. I'm not going to worry . . . about trying to please anybody beyond my team-mates and myself.

"I'm still settling down in terms of travel but I'm keen to have some time and input into this weekend's fixture. I'm starting to train more comfortably as the jet-lag wears off.

"I'd like to think I can add something to Munster. I've been three or four months building myself up for this. It's another challenge.

"There's always a lag time in terms of patterns and plays; in some ways it's like being back at school. Munster play a very direct game. You can see it at training; everyone is running hard and forward. I've watched Munster move it wide and I've watched them play tight as well and the team has both options."

"I've always been a goals-oriented person. Having left the All Blacks, I had to look at what's next on the list, like winning the Heineken Cup and the Magners League - and, joining Munster, that becomes a reality."

Howlett has played at fullback and on the wing for New Zealand, and though a history-making try scorer largely from the flank, he will provide options for the Munster coach, Declan Kidney, who has a back line that this year has shown more of a cutting edge than in previous seasons

"It doesn't matter," says Howlett of where he might be asked to play. "I'm quite comfortable at fullback or on the wing. I've played most of my Test rugby on the wing but if I have to play fullback I'm just as comfortable.

"I like to be involved and get ball in hand. Wing is one of the few positions where you have licence to roam and that's something I've enjoyed."

Jim Williams and Cullen have been Munster's stellar recruits from the Southern Hemisphere.

Doug Howlett, who may play tomorrow in Belfast, continues the lineage.

Wasps to reveal Dallaglio plans

London Wasps have called a press conference for lunchtime today that will end mounting speculation over Lawrence Dallaglio's future.

Dallaglio has announced his England retirement once already - in August 2004 - and could be set to bow out of the Test arena for a second and final time.

The England head coach, Brian Ashton, stated upon his reappointment two weeks ago that Dallaglio would remain under consideration for international duty. But Ashton, who was heavily criticised in Dallaglio's recent autobiography, is expected to favour younger players as he begins rebuilding the team.