From the match programme:-
"WELCOME TO THE PARADE"
"With the 1986-87 rugby season only three weeks old, this evening's visitors to Rodney Parade, Bath, are once again proving to be one of the teams who will dominate Anglo-Welsh rugby, not only by results (they still remain unbeaten} but by the expansive exciting brand of rugby they play. Last Saturday they journeyed to "The Reddings" and destroyed Moseley by 36pts to nil, and the Rodney Parade faithful will need no reminding that in the opening week of the season they journeyed over the Severn Bridge and up the Eastern Valley of Gwent to Pontypool Park and silenced the vociferous "Poola" fans with a stunning display of rugby, which gave them victory by over twenty points including five tries. Let's hope that Rodney Parade continues to be one of their less successful grounds, for last season's game ended in a 16-all draw, while in 1984-85 the Black and Ambers won 11-0, in 1983-84 by 52pts to 7pts and the last occasion they won here was in 1982-83 when the final score was 12-3."
"Captain Richard Hill has a star studded side under his control and there is no doubt that England Coach Martin Green and his fellow selectors will be looking to base the England team around a number of Blue and White players this season. Full back Chris Martin is playing better now than when he won his England caps two seasons ago and this is understandable when one considers the three quarter talent he has in front of him. Wings Tony Swift, Barry Trevaskis, David Trick, M. Sparkes all have pace and guile and are well supplied by centres Simon Halliday, John Palmer (unfortunately injured) and Jeremy Guscott. In the key half back positions, the captain is displaying all his authority and could well get the call to lead his country and would no doubt welcome his club partner, former Newport starlet Stuart Barnes, to join him at national level and add to his "cap" collection. Stuart will be anxious to display his skills this evening and will be keen to counter the goal kicking feats of his opposite number, Paul Turner. Up front, Gareth Chilcott, Nigel Redman, Paul Simpson, John Hall, Roger Spurrell and A. Robinson form the basis of a formidable pack, who not only show strength and power in the set pieces but show great mobility in their loose play."
"This evening's visitors are the current John Player Cup holders, having completed a fine "hat-trick" at Twickenham at the end of last season. Coach Jack Rowell has blended a highly talented squad of players into a team that is a major force in rugby football. We welcome them and their officers, committee and supporters for what promises to be a game of rugby football to remember."
"Last Saturday's unsavoury game versus Neath left the Medical Room under the stand looking more like the set for the TV series "Casualty", with Dr. Lindsey Roblings playing the leading role while inserting nine stitches into Paul Rees and five stitches into Frank Hillman. We hope they will be back fit and well very soon, and the same applies to all our other injured players."
"It was good to see Youth player Mark James at Rodney Parade on Saturday, even if it was on crutches. Best wishes for the future, Mark - and while you are out of action your vocal support for any of the Black and Amber teams will be greatly appreciated. Youth team Captain Heath George and Coach David Larner are delighted with the success their young team have achieved during the opening weeks of the season and welcome back Andrew Jewell following his successful tour of Canada as a member of the Welsh Youth XV. Keep up the good work boys and remember how many past youth players are now in the 1st and United XVs."
"Fixture Secretary Bob Atkins has been admitted into hospital for an operation and everyone here at Rodney Parade hopes everything goes well and he will soon be fit enough to be back with us. It is rumoured that "the Committee" are taking out special insurance following Doug Ackerman's accident and now Bob's illness. Rugby is certainly a pressure game both on and off the field."
"The "Big Five" are busy taking stock of current talent and, after Tony Gray at Pontypool, Clive Rowlands and Derek Quinell were here last Saturday, and every Black and Amber supporter will be hoping that our current squad players retain their positions and others may gain entry."