'I think that's a compliment to Connacht and kind of programme that we're building' - Andy Friend on Connacht's new signings

Andy Friend says the quality of Connacht's recruitment for next season is a sign of progress they have made in recent seasons.

The province have been busy in the transfer market in recent weeks, confirming deals to bring Josh Murphy, Peter Dooley, Adam Byrne and David Hawkshaw across from Leinster next season, some of whom they are likely to play against this Saturday, in their URC Interpro at the Sportsground (live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player).

There's set to be a large reshuffle of bodies at the Sportsground this summer, with the province already resigned to losing Ultan Dillane, Sammy Arnold and Abraham Papali'i, but Friend has also hinted that there may be one final addition to next season's squad.

Connacht have reignited the careers of many Leinster natives down the years, most recently Paul Boyle, Tom Daly, Gavin Thornbury and Conor Oliver, while their latest signings from their provincial rivals look set to add real depth to the western province, with Byrne an Ireland international, while Dooley also has experience in Irish camps.

The reduced number of games in the URC season will surely have helped Connacht, with players on the fringes of other squads less likely to sit and wait their turn.

And Friend admits he would not have been able to attract players of that calibre to the Sportsground a few seasons ago.

"It's probably been the biggest change since I've been here," he said.

"I remember in my first year we spoke to a number of Leinster players, and some French players who weren't getting game time and there was no way of budging them.

"But I think that's a compliment to Connacht and kind of programme that we're building there, that when we talk to these men now there's a desire and for for them, they've chosen to uproot