Injury puts Howlett out for the season

RUGBY NEWS:DOUG HOWLETT will miss the rest of Munster's season having ruptured his Achilles tendon.

The All Blacks record try scorer sustained the injury in the dying minutes of Saturday’s 19-13 defeat to the Ospreys at Liberty Stadium.

“Howlett had a scan yesterday that showed he will require surgery to mend the damage with a recuperation period then of six to eight months,” a Munster statement confirmed.

It means the entire first-choice Munster backfield is currently injured; an international trio with 91 caps and 60 Test match tries between them.

Keith Earls damaged medial knee ligaments moments after catching the kick-off against Leinster on November 4th. Suggestions yesterday from within the Munster camp were that the Irish winger, and occasional centre or fullback, could feature in the home tie against the Llanelli Scarlets on Sunday week.

However, Earls has yet to resume full contact training.

Felix Jones established himself at fullback last season and was poised to travel to the World Cup in New Zealand until sustaining an ankle injury against France last August.

Irish coach Declan Kidney initially predicted a six-week rehabilitation period but Jones has been absent for the past four months and is tentatively pencilled in to make a return in January/February.

That appears to be the best case scenario for the injury-ravaged, Dublin-born 24-year-old.

So Munster travel to Llanelli for this Saturday’s round three of the Heineken Cup with second string fullback and wingers.

Granted, Denis Hurley wore number 15 for the province in the 2008 European final while former Leicester Tiger Johne Murphy and impressive Cork Constitution winger Simon Zebo are able attacking replacements.

Still, confirmation of Howlett’s long-term absence provides the latest stern examination of Tony McGahan’s reserves.

The province is also operating this season with a new-look midfield pairing, Danny Barnes and Australian Will Chambers, while Peter O’Mahony and Niall Ronan have featured prominently in the backrow due to David Wallace’s injury and Alan Quinlan’s retirement. Donnacha Ryan has also dislodged Donncha O’Callaghan from the secondrow.

The stretching of resources is also notable at hooker where Jerry Flannery continues his latest bout of rehab on a chronic calf problem while Mike Sherry is six weeks away from training after ankle surgery.

Tighthead prop Paul Borlase returned this week after back problems and could be involved in the Munster ‘A’ game against Ayr in Tralee this Saturday.