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19th December 2016
09:45am GMT

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.
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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.
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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.Explore more on these topics: