Howlett walks out on All Blacks

Doug Howlett, the All Blacks winger, is poised to make a switch to a European club after his contract negotiations with the New Zealand Rugby Football Union broke down yesterday.

His agents, Global Sports Management, have confirmed Howlett has contacted them and they are negotiating with European clubs on his behalf.

Howlett has scored 17 tries in 24 Tests for the All Blacks since his debut in 2000. He is considered one of the top wingers in the world, but under NZRFU rules he will not be eligible to play for the All Blacks if he moves to a European club and that would almost certainly rule him out of the World Cup.

The 24-year-old enjoyed an outstanding autumn tour with the All Blacks, outsprinting Ben Cohen for a memorable try against England before putting Wales to the sword with two tries in Cardiff. There is unlikely to be a shortage of clubs in England and France queuing up to obtain his services.

The former New Zealand scrum-half Mark Robinson is also seeking a European club after failing to secure a contract with the Auckland provincial side.