From bizarre temporary purchases by big clubs to established international players getting experience in the lower leagues: these are the short-term signings we've all dismissed from memory.
1. OWEN FARRELL TO BEDFORD BLUES
In the 2010–11 season, Farrell signed for Bedford Blues on a brief loan, scoring 11 points in four outings.
However he returned to Saracens and was pivotal in the 2010–11 Aviva Premiership Final, kicking five penalties and converting James Short's try, ending with a personal haul of 17 points in the 22–18 victory over reigning champions Leicester Tigers.
2. ELLIS GENGE TO LEICESTER TIGERS
Leicester Tigers signed Bristol prop Ellis Genge on loan until the end of the regular season in 2016. The move was, in part, due to off-field issues, which included the prop being arrested after an away game against Ulster in 2015. Genge's move to Leicester was made permanent on 26 May 2016 and he has since won five England caps.
#3. BLAIR COWAN TO SARACENS
Saracens strangely signed Scotland international flanker Blair Cowan on loan from relegation fighting London Irish until the end of last season a few years back.
Cowan, who has 17 Scotland caps, joined Saracens as cover with Schalk Burger, Callum Clark, Joel Conlon, Michael Rhodes and Billy Vunipola all ruled out for varied periods.
Saracens went onto win the Premiership title while London Irish were relegated for the second time in three years.
#4. JOE LAUNCHBURY TO ROSSLYN PARK
Having joined from Worthing in 2010, he was named in Wasps' Academy squad for the 2010–11 season but also joined National League 1 side Rosslyn Park on loan to gain senior experience, making six appearances for the historic club.
Having played the first half of the season for the A team and out on loan, Launchbury made his Wasps' debut on 30 January 2011 in the Anglo-Welsh Cup against Harlequins as a replacement, scoring a try in a 38–13 defeat.
Joe Launchbury RP on the offensive.
#5. PETER STRINGER TO NEWCASTLE FALCONS
Following a brief loan spell at Saracens in December 2011, the Munster and Ireland scrum-half subsequently joined the Newcastle Falcons on loan until the end of the season in February 2012.
Despite the playmakers best efforts, the North East side was relegated after finishing bottom of the pile, just one point below Wasps.
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