Munster's former All Black wing Doug Howlett has revealed that he hasn't ruled out the possibility of a return to the All Blacks before the 2011 World Cup.
Howlett, who holds New Zealand's try-scoring record, is in the second season of his three-year contract with European champions Munster.
The wing quit Test rugby and joined the Irish province after last year's World Cup in France.
Howlett has told ESPN that a World Cup in 2011 in New Zealand is a huge carrot for any rugby player, and he'll re-assess closer to the time whether he feels he's playing well enough to warrant a go at an All Blacks jersey.
Howlett will be 33 when the next World Cup is staged in his homeland. He added that not winning the sport's biggest tournament remains the greatest regret of his playing career.
