Sporting digest: Rugby union

Swansea have confirmed that they will go ahead with Saturday's controversial friendly against the Allied Dunbar club West Hartlepool, despite being told not to do so by the Welsh Rugby Union. Swansea, along with Cardiff, recently refused to sign the 10-year "loyalty" agreements demanded by the WRU. Swansea now face the possible sanction of being excluded from the SWALEC Cup "The matter will be discussed and decided at a meeting on Thursday," a WRU spokesman, Peter Owens, said.

Matt Perry, the Bath and England full-back, will miss the start of the new season after failing to recover from an injury sustained during a recent pre-season tour to France.