WORCESTER Rugby Club have lined up a friendly with either Caerphilly or Swansea for their opening pre-season test as the Richard Smith saga drew to a conclusion today.

Smith's move from Sixways to Cardiff should take place later this week after Worcester and the scrum-half's agent agreed a compensation figure.

And after the unwanted distraction of Smith's shock move, Sixways' director of rugby John Brain has acted quickly to arrange a new friendly on August 3 after Bristol pulled out of the original pre-season clash.

Worcester will either travel to Caerphilly or face Swansea at a venue yet to be agreed. The Caerphilly option seems to be the more likely at present as Swansea would prefer to play 24 hours later. Worcester, however, will only play on the Saturday because of their pre-season match with Ebbw Vale already pencilled in for August 9.

The Sixways stars travel to South Africa for a nine-day stay on August 15 and are determined to have two games under their belts before they play Durban Harlequins on August 21.

"We've always wanted a friendly on August 3 and after Bristol pulled out, we've been trying to arrange something," said Brain.

"We have a definite offer from Caerphilly and to go there will be a really tough game."

Brain was pleased to get back to rugby matters after Smith dropped his bombshell last week.

The 29-year-old held talks with Cardiff officials over a proposed move and decided to quit Sixways in a bid to re-ignite his international career.

After a week of negotiating with Smith and his agent, both parties came to an agreement over a level of compensation and Brain expects the details to be concluded today.

"We've agreed a figure and all we are waiting for is a signed termination agreement and a cheque," added Brain.

"It is very close to conclusion now and I would expect everything to be finalised today or, at the very latest, tomorrow.

"We never wanted Richard to go but after he decided to move, we had to make sure we were compensated because he was in the middle of a two-year contract.

"I have to answer to a board of directors and, at the end of the day, we are running a rugby club which is a business."