From the match programme:-
"First English visitors of the New Year, Newport welcome the strong Coventry side to Rodney Parade this afternoon, and despite the England v. Wales counter attraction at Swansea, two excellent teams are sure to provide an open, well contested game."
"Both sides start at equal disadvantage. Coventry provide their lull-back, E. Hewitt, and outside-half and British Tourist, Ivor Preece, to the England team, while, of course, Ken Jones and R. T. Evans are Newport's representatives in the Welsh side. Graham Ross and Peter Davies (now fully recovered from injury) will take their places in an otherwise unchanged Newport XV, who will be captained by Roy Burnett - his first opportunity of resuming leadership of the side since the Blackheath game on Oct. 14th."
"Newport and Coventry, who meet only once each season, have played three post-war matches. Two games at Coventry have resulted in one victory for Newport by 5 pts. to nil, and a 3 - 3 drawn match last season. In their only post-war appearance at Newport in 1949, Coventry were beaten by 16 pts. to 8. It is a pity that each season the Clubs have to meet on International day, but under present arrangements such clash cannot be avoided. It will be noted that Coventry drew with the strong Bedford team at Bedford last Saturday, and their record this season indicates the challenge for victory they will make to-day."
"Wales, with 13 of their Triple Crown side automatically retaining the trust of the Selectors, should gain victory over the untried English team in the International match at Swansea this afternoon. England, like Scotland and, to a lesser extent, Ireland, are re-shaping their national sides. Each country will, therefore, present a most interesting challenge to the present Welsh supremacy - a challenge which cannot be answered finally before the Irish match at Cardiff on March 10th. Welsh rugby, generally, is in a healthy state, and it is a gratifying feature that there appear to be adequate reserves for any position in this Welsh side should there be loss of form among to-day's selected team. Staleness, following the strenuous British Tour of the Summer, is the oft-raised query which the side may well answer to-day."
"Next Saturday Newport play at Richmond, and as this is the occasion of the Supporters' Club annual outing, the team will have a large following. The success of the Newport team will ensure a happy party."
"SUPPORTERS CLUB NEWS"
"To-day we hope to fulfil one of our ambitions by opening a Mobile Canteen for the serving of some refreshments at our Home games."
"It is our intention that this Canteen will be open at all games, both 1st Fifteen and the United, and we are greatly indebted to the Club for purchasing this vehicle and placing it at our disposal."
"It is only a small beginning, but we ask you to give us your support, and then maybe we shall be able to extend. Remember, this depends on your patronage."
"Our Annual Outing will be held to Richmond on Saturday next and we shall be there (we hope) to spur our Team on to break the record number of consecutive victories by any of the Club's previous Teams."
"Our congratulations to Ken and Bob on again being chosen to uphold tht prestige of Wales. Good Luck to them both, and may they soon be joined by the other deserving boys in our team."
"Another successful Whist Drive was held on Thursday, at the Castle Hotel. Why not come alone to the next one?"
"In passing, about 40 of our Supporters will be travelling to Murrayfield. Let us hope that we have more than 2 boys to cheer on that visit."