Pat Howard

Just given a short-term contract by Munster. Never heard of him as I don't get a chance to watch much Southern Hemisphere club/provincial rugby but I'd imagine fellow Western Province player Jean de Villiers had a word in his ear about Munster. Found a montage video that seems to go through his strengths. Looks like a nice all-round centre/wing. Any South Africans on here know much about him?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBPWtirtpGY

He looks like a big lad, alright. He hasn't played any Super Rugby. He played in the U20s world cup in the loss against Ireland as Serfentein's centre partner that JJ Hanrahan played in.

I wouldn't expect too much of him, though and Gerhardt VdeH would have played Currie Cup with him.

Seems Jean de Villiers recommended him to Munster and Gert Smal is WP Director of Rugby.

Howard goes on loan to Munster

November 11, 2014

Talented DHL Western Province centre/wing Pat Howard will join top Irish Province, Munster, on a three-month loan deal.

Due to knee injuries to Keith Earls and Cian Bohane, and the deferred arrival of New Zealander Tyler Bleyendaal, Munster head coach Anthony Foley has called on the services of Howard to bolster their midfield options.

Howard, 22, made his Absa Currie Cup debut for DHL Western Province against the Free State Cheetahs in August 2012 and has made a total of 11 appearances in the competition – six coming this season as DHL WP won their second Currie Cup title in three years.

In all, the 101-kilogram outside back has played 20 matches for DHL WP – at Vodacom and Currie Cup level – scoring a total of five tries.

WP Director of Rugby Gert Smal told www.wprugby.com: “It’s a three-month loan deal, brought about by some injuries at centre in the Munster set-up, and we look forward to welcoming Pat back in February (2015).

“The move initially came about via Jean de Villiers, who of course played at Munster, and then I chatted with the Munster CEO and it was made possible by both parties.

“It’s a great opportunity for Pat, who can do with the game time and will be able to broaden his horizons as a rugby player and a person at a top club like Munster in some top-level competitions.”

The powerful and skilful back can play at centre or on the wing – where he mainly featured for DHL WP this season – having made his name as a straight-running outside centre at junior level for DHL WP and the IRB JWC title-winning SA Under-20 team in 2012.

From memory he played against Saracens this past weekend, if you can find that match you should have a better idea of him.

Biltong wrote:From memory he played against Saracens this past weekend, if you can find that match you should have a better idea of him.

Came across a few match reports. Saracens ran away with the game. He played on the wing rather than in the centre.

He will only be around for a couple of months - useful experience for him.