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 and come down here and want to play in the green at Connacht which is which is great for us.
"I think it's great for them too because the only way you get to being a rugby player is to play rugby.
"So there's opportunity here, they haven't been given any guarantees at all.
"They're coming into a squad and as we say to all the players may the best man win, there will be 15 each week and hopefully you'll be good enough and you'll be in the 15."
On top of the four Leinster players, Friend has added two 21-year-old prospects from the southern hemisphere, in the form of New Zealander Shamus Hurley-Langton (above) and Irish-qualified Australian Byron Ralston.
Versatile back Ralston arrives from the Western Force in Australia, with the added benefit of being Irish qualified, and Friend jokes that Mack Hansen's dream debut season may put some early pressure on him.
"Watching him for the Western Force, his agent let us know that he was Irish qualified so you take a greater interest when you see that.
"But he's very athletic, he has been playing on the wing but he can play in the centres as well and, actually, has a desire to play outside centre which is a position that we need more coverage in. So that's great.
"He's got youth on his side and probably the most important thing is you then talk to his coaches that have coached and they say he is very, very coachable.
"He wants to come over here, he had other opportunities but a bit like Mack Hansen he wants to come over here and explore those Irish roots and see what opportunity presents itself here.
"So I think he's a great signing for us. There'll be a bit of pressure because everyone else will be saying he is the new Mack Hansen - the poor bugger - listen you never know what he is going to do."
And the Connacht boss has also spoken of his excitement for back row Hurley-Langton, who he likens to a Sportsground favourite from a few seasons ago.
"He's another exciting young prospect," he added of Hurley-Langton.
"To me he's a very similar version to Colby Fainga'a, and we know how good Colby was for us. He's a powerful back rower. He plays eight, he can play seven, he attacks and defends with enormous vigour."
