The most successful signings from the Southern Hemisphere to Europe

Doug Howlett

Howlett enjoyed a very successful six year stay at Munster. The former All Black joined Munster in 2007 from the Blues and was instrumental in Munster winning their second Heineken Cup in his first season at the club as they beat Toulouse in Cardiff. Howlett also played his part in Munster winning two league titles in in 2009 and 2011. Howlett retired from the game in 2013 ending his career at Munster, having scored 35 tries and making over 100 appearances for the province. He is still at the club and operates as a corporate ambassador.

Matt Giteau

Toulon have signed so many world class players in the last few years, but Giteau is one of their most important signings. Giteau joined the French side in 2011 and has enjoyed a very successful three and half years with the club. He finished his first season without a trophy but the following year he won the Heineken Cup with Toulon defeating Clermont Auvergne at the Aviva Stadium, before securing the double last season with Toulon winning the league and retaining the Heineken Cup. Giteau who is 32 has played in many positions in the backline for Toulon and still has a few more years left in his career where he will look to achieve further success with Toulon who continue to dominate European Rugby.

Isa Nacewa

Leinster fans would not have known too much about Nacewa when he joined them in 2008, with the Fijian joining them from the Blues. Nacewa was quick to settle in at the province and was a crucial member of the squad who went onto win the Heineken Cup in the 2008/09 season. The medals didn’t stop there with Nacewa going onto claim two more Heineken Cup medals in 2011 and 2012. In his final season at the club Leinster won the Pro12 as well as the Amlin Cup. Nacewa enjoyed five years at Leinster where he was a fans favourite and will go down as one of Leinster’s best signings in recent years. With rumours circulating that Nacewa could return to the province next season, it has got Leinster fans excited at the prospect of seeing Nacewa lineout at the RDS once again.

Ciaran Fallon