Leicester Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill has backed the club's youngsters to step up while senior players are at the Rugby World Cup.
The Tigers could have up to nine squad members competing at the tournament, which gets underway next month.
However, Cockerill is confident that there is enough quality at Welford Road to make up for any high-profile absentees.
"We've got six front-rowers missing for the World Cup and they're all of world-class quality, but people have to step up and we have some strength in depth there," he told BBC Sport.
"Greg Bateman has trained really well, Fraser Balmain made huge strides last year and Riccardo Brugnara and Tiziano Pasquali are good players.
"Aniseko Sio, who is an international player with Samoa as well, and there's a couple of young guys under that with Dan Hogan and Owen Hills."
Leicester get the new Aviva Premiership season underway with a trip to London Irish on October 18.
Jack Prescott
