Doug Howlett Honoured With Richard Harris Award

Munster Rugby’s Annual London Dinner took place at the Londoner Hotel last week with Doug Howlett honoured with this year’s Richard Harris Patron’s Award.

The prestigious award recognises an individual who, through his or her life or work, encapsulates Munster’s values of passion, integrity, ambition, excellence and community.

Prior to joining Munster Rugby in 2008, Doug Howlett had a decorated playing career with New Zealand sides the Highlanders, the Hurricanes and the Auckland Blues, winning a Super 12 title with the latter in 2003. On the international stage, Howlett enjoyed a superb career with the All Blacks, scoring 49 tries in 62 Tests, becoming the all-time leading try-scorer for New Zealand, a record which still holds to this day. This record was broken during the 2007 Rugby World Cup when he overtook former Munster player Christian Cullen’s tally of 46.

During Howlett’s time at Munster, the New Zealander made 114 appearances in red over five-and-a-half seasons scoring 35 tries which included helping the southern province to the 2008 Heineken Cup title in his first season before winning two Celtic League trophies in the following three years. He was also appointed Munster captain for the 2012/13 season.

Doug Howlett speaking with Máire Treasa Ní Dhubhghaill and Barry Murphy at last week’s London Dinner.

Upon retiring from rugby in 2013, Howlett contributed to developing the commercial portfolio for the province in his roles as Corporate Ambassador and Commercial Manager. He was appointed as Munster’s Head of Commercial & Marketing in 2017 and held the role for two years before returning to New Zealand in 2019.

The award is named in honour of Richard Harris, a Munster Rugby patron in its truest sense. Everywhere he went he espoused his love of Munster Rugby and what it meant to him.

Having represented Munster Rugby both at Schools and U20s level, he understood and demonstrated the heritage, values and passion which Munster Rugby instill in all those who play with and support them. Such was his pride in the jersey, he treasured his Munster U20s jersey and famously wore it to the European Cup final in 2002.

Sculptor Jarlath Daly created a custom piece which was originally presented to the Harris Family in 2014, with a replica being presented to a new recipient each year thereafter at Munster Rugby’s Annual London Dinner.