Sheffield out to end Leigh run

Sheffield Eagles coach Mark Aston is boosted by Misi Taulapapa‘s availability for Sunday’s crucial Co-operative Championship clash with table-topping Leigh Centurions.

The Samoan international has been in New Zealand recuperating from a broken ankle, but he returned to the UK on Saturday and is now set to take his place in Aston’s team.

Aston said: “He was a big part of what we did last season, and he’ll be a big part of what we do for the rest of the season because he’s a quality player.”

Joe Hirst and Sam Scott both suffered minor dead-legs against St Helens last week, but are expected to recover in time to face the Centurions.

Leigh are set to name a similar squad to the one that last week almost knocked Catalans out of the Carnegie Challenge Cup.

However, points-scoring machine Mick Nanyn is likely to return to the fold following a recent calf problem.

Centurions assistant coach Paul Rowley said: “We did very well against Catalans. We had a moral victory and a confidence-boosting result, even though we lost.

“However, it was our first loss of the season and we didn’t like the feeling.”

On Sheffield, Rowley added: “They’ve got plenty of threats in Laulu-Togage, Yere, Stringer and Taulapapa, and they’ve only lost one league game all year. They’re playing well and it will probably be our toughest game so far.”