16 May 2013

Injury forces Howlett to retire from rugby

6:23 am on 16 May 2013

A shoulder injury has forced former All Blacks winger Doug Howlett to retire from professional rugby.

The 34-year-old played 62 tests for the All Blacks and holds their all-time try scoring record with 49.

Following his international retirement, Howlett moved to Ireland to play for Munster and has made more than 100 appearances for the club, scoring 35 tries.

He had surgery on his shoulder earlier in the season, but has retired on medical advice.

Howlett intends to remain in Cork, where he lives with his wife and three children.