Saracens prop Mako Vunipola has refused to blame injuries on his side's recent run of poor form and claims that they have allowed other players to establish themselves in the first team.
Despite currently sitting third in the Aviva Premiership table, Saracens have endured a tough spell which has seen them slip to defeat in each of their last seven matches.
In addition to a series of disappointing results, director of rugby Mark McCall has the added headache of seeing a number of key players suffer injuries, with England internationals Maro Itoje and Billy Vunipola among those confined to the sidelines.
However, England front rower Mako Vunipola does not believe injuries can take all the blame for the club's fortunes on the pitch, and claims they have resulted in some positives at Allianz Park.
"It's not great whenever a team loses some good players, they're obviously going to suffer," Vunipola told ESPN. "But you can't just blame it on the injuries. They've given other players the opportunity to come in and stake a claim for their place.
"That's been great for us and you've seen some young guys come through. Nick Isiekwe has come in and you forget sometimes that he's just 19.
"We've also asked a lot of Jackson Wray as well. He's stepped up to be a real leader at the club as well, we've seen how consistent he's been."
One player who has been particularly affected this season is Mako's brother, Billy. The bruising No. 8 has been out of action since September -- just after he returned from a shoulder problem which forced him to pull out of the British & Irish Lions tour of New Zealand over the summer -- but is now approaching a return to full fitness.
"Billy's a difficult person in that he takes a bit of convincing sometimes," Vunipola added laughing. "But he's usually real good in that regards. He's coming back now and he looks good.
"The physio and S&C have done a good job in supporting him and putting him through his rehab, and he looks ready to come back in, and looks in good nick as well considering he's been out for so long."
Surrounding injuries of the likes of Vunipola's is the ongoing debate over the length of the rugby season and the toll it takes on players, especially those who represent their country's.
Billy has previously said that he would like to see a shorter domestic season, and Leicester hooker Tom Youngs recently claimed that most internationals have returned form the autumn tests fatigued.
"As players you obviously want to be ambitious and play as high a level as you can but there is also the fatigue you have to deal with," Vunipola continued.
"I don't really have a place to say about how many games we play and how long the season is -- it's not my choice to make -- but if I have a chance to play for my country then I'd rather be playing than not."