Douglas Charles Howlett was born in Auckland on 21 September 1978 and educated at Auckland Grammar School. He played on the wing and, occasionally, full-back for the Marist club and Auckland and set a Super Rugby record of 59 tries for the Blues (he had also played briefly on draft for the Highlanders). After making his test debut in 2000, he played for New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup tournaments of 2003 and 2007. By the time of his 62nd and final cap in 2007 he had set a new All Black record of 49 tries. He also played for the All Blacks against the Barbarians at Twickenham in 2004. In 2008 Dougie Howlett joined Munster and was a member of the provincial side that won both the Celtic League and Heineken Cup. In 2012 he was appointed captain of Munster.