Taia faces long-term lay-off

Betfred Super League leaders St Helens will be without forward Zeb Taia for six weeks due to a dislocated shoulder.

The 34-year-old sustained the injury during Friday’s win over Leeds Rhinos and the club do not expect him back until early August, meaning he will miss their Coral Challenge Cup semi-final with Halifax RLFC on July 27.

Taia, who recently agreed a new contract with St Helens, has made 18 appearances in 2019, scoring three tries.

Scans have revealed Saints forward @JZTaia will be ruled out of action for around 6 weeks after he dislocated his shoulder in the win over @leedsrhinos on Friday night.

Read more ??https://t.co/yU8dia0DBC

— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) June 25, 2019

Saints reported good news about centre Mark Percival, though, with the hamstring complaint he suffered during the Leeds game having passed ahead of this weekend’s clash with second-placed Warrington Wolves.

Six points separate the two sides ahead of the fixture, with Justin Holbrook’s Saints having lost just two of their 19 games so far.