Come on lads its just a laugh, you don't have to write a submission to the IRFU to contemplate! Marshall could be an outside outside shot, just because Leinster have signed Kearney and the IRFU should be keen to make sure players get game time and also, for want of a better phrase, to throw us a bit of a bone and provide a little depth in a shallow position.

In addition, considering Lam basically suggested that we will have less players next season as the likes of Buckley and our other performers who got new contracts have gotten raises, loan deals seem like the most that we can hope for right now, apart from maybe one 'big' signing which will probably by necessity have to be an more or less unknown young SH flanker.

MOC let Cooney go and gave McGrath gametime, let Roux go and signed Douglas. Both players are now staying with us. While their improvement might just be a factor of the gametime they got, and which Leinster couldn't give them, equally some would suggest MOC can't coach and/or has no eye for a player. He's said it won't be happening again, and if he's given the heave-ho I'd expect his successor to think likewise.

The only value to be had in the market this summer will be in pillaging whichever Top 14 team goes down with Lyon.

I'd be very surprised if any kind of loan deal could be worked out this time around especially from Leinster. Whether a player can expect playing time or not, the other provinces will use the excuse of the RWC to balk at any player movement. I think Connacht are about as good as they care to see them so they wouldn't want to help them get another possible 2 wins. There would need to be real pressure from the IRFU and I don't see it happening.

What players amongst the other provinces would you like to see come to Connacht on a loan deal a la Cooney/Roux?

Ben Marshall is one I've mentioned several times, he has been praised by Leinster fans the few times he has played this season but hard to see him breaking through next season.

Conan or Van der flier are two exciting players, although the former in particular is already pretty established and should get plenty of game time next season due to World Cup requirements.

Any other suggestions? Bonus points if you can explain why a journeyman would finally come good at Connacht, or a positional switch would see a player become established as a great new hope!