Saints coach updates on Mark Percival, Agnatius Paasi and Lachlan Coote injuries

St Helens coach Kristian Woolf says they have taken a cautious approach regarding centre Mark Percival and full-back Lachlan Coote.

Coote, 30, sat out the 29-6 win over Salford, while Percival was taken off as a precaution having scored one of Saints’ five tries on the night.

Woolf said: “Mark had a little bit of a twinge. We don’t think it’s anything serious but obviously with his history we needed to be smart.

“Lachlan could have played but he’s had a couple of niggles and we just didn’t think it was a smart move to play him tonight. He should be available to play next week.”

New signing Agnatius Paasi will miss next week’s game against Hull KR after being forced off with a head knock early in the second half in a tackle with Pauli Pauli.

Woolf added: “You don’t want to see your team-mate go down but he’s fine, he’s recovered really well.

“I thought he was really good the time he was on the field. He showed what sort of impact he’s going to have for us.”

REPORT: St Helens 29-6 Salford: Champions kick-off new Super League season with win

Tommy Makinson scored the first try of the season inside two minutes, and he added the subsequent conversion and a penalty to help Saints in to a 8-0 lead.

Jack Welsby’s drop goal on the stroke of half-time added to Regan Grace’s try for 13-0, but Ken Sio gave Salford hope in the second half.

Percival restored the 13 point advantage on the hour mark, and Saints ran in further tries through Kevin Naiqama and Alex Walmsley.

Salford played without hooker Andy Ackers, who has been forced to self-isolate for COVID-19 reasons.