"CLUB NOTES"
"After England's disappointing draw against Wales in last Saturdays International Leicester have a chance this afternoon to improve their poor record against Welsh opposition this season. With the visit of Newport today the Tigers will be hoping to open their account as the records reads - played four, lost four - London Welsh having achieved a double, and two other considerable defeats at the hands of Cardiff and Swansea."
"Newport are not enjoying one of their better seasons but recent results indicate that the tide may be turning. A record of only fourteen victories from thirty-two games does not make very good reading, but they have scored 477 pts. with only 381 against and they have shown tremendous form in the past month. Though losing narrowly 12-9 pts. at Swansea in the third round of the Schweppes Welsh Cup, they then produced a superb display to beat Llanelli for the first time in four seasons. A fortnight ago they travelled to the Gnoll and registered their first win at Neath for 14 years with their pack again laying the foundations of victory. Last Monday they continued in similar vein to beat Bridgend and are obviously in cracking form."
"Their front-row of Colin Smart, Mike Watkins and Rhys Morgan is formidable, and the second-row of David Waters, and Englishman John Widdecombe takes some beating. They have an embarrassment of talent in the back row, but Newport except for the evergreen Keith James lack strength in depth outside the scrum which puts a limitation on the options needed for an open attacking game."
"Leicester make four changes from last Saturday's winning side at London Scottish. English Internationals Paul Dodge, Dusty Hare and Les Cusworth resume in their normal positions, while loose head prop Stuart Redfern gets back into the 1st XV at the expense of Martin Whitcombe. One player celebrating today is Brian Hall who notches up his 300th appearance to join a very exclusive club of players who reach this milestone for Leicester."
"Leicester, and especially Brian, will be wanting to win today and erase last years 15-16 pts. defeat."
"On the injury front British Lions Peter Wheeler and Clive Woodward are both confident of being fit for the Cup Match against Wakefield on February 26th, but not so good news is that Ian Dodson will be out for eight weeks with a broken collar-bone."
"The Tigers Sports Quiz is now into the 4th round, and already three very strong teams have qualified for the first semi-final, Leicester Mercury, Friends of Grace Road I and the Bar-Staff. All rounds are on Thursday nights at 7.30 in the upstairs bar and any supporters are very welcome."
"The fixture list has given Tigers members a feast of rugby over the next two months and if all goes well in the Cup, Leicester will not play away again until April 16th. Everybody grabs for their fixture cards and programme."
"BOB BARKER"