Munster supporters would love this.
It has been a while since Munster landed a truly marqueé name. No offence to Francis Saili, BJ Botha [two proven internationals] and co. but there has not been someone on the Doug Howlett or Christian Cullen excitement level for the best part of a decade.
French and English clubs have flexed their financial muscles in recent months and Munster’s dipping form [trophy-less for five seasons] has not helped.
All that appears to be changing and there could be a massive signing on the way to further boost the Irish province’s fortunes.
Reports in New Zealand, and France, suggest that Munster are in the mix for All Blacks vice captain Ben Smith.
The 30-year-old, who has 44 Test tries to his name, has been linked with a move away from his Highlanders side in 2017. Stuff and Midi Olympique have both connected Smith to a Munster move but note that several French sides would be interested in securing his services.
https://youtu.be/KTFg8x_jSyw
Smith, who appeared in the recent clashes between Ireland and New Zealand, would command a fee in the region of €1,500,000 for a single season of action. That would be split between playing and commercial wage agreements, much like Racing 92 do with Dan Carter.
https://twitter.com/gavinmortimer7/status/810753338656559105
A signing of Smith’s calibre would do wonders for Munster. Most likely, he would be at Thomond Park on an initial one-year deal as Smith still has designs on representing his country at the 2019 World Cup. Smith could conceivably appear in the 2017 Lions tour for New Zealand before playing a season in Europe.
Howlett arrived at Munster in early 2008 and helped the club to two league titles and a Heineken Cup and captained them in is final season before retiring.
Another All Blacks star that may consider a change of pace in 2017 is captain Kieran Read. There are suggestions that the No.8 could take a six-month sabbatical ahead of the 2019 World Cup.
“We’ve proven over a long period of time now that we’ll sit down with each player and, within reason, be incredibly flexible,” said NZRU chief executive Steve Tew.
