From the match programme:-
"A GRAND WELSH SIDE"
"RUGGER supporters in Gloucester are always delighted when a Welsh side comes to Kingsholm, particularly so when it is that from the nearest first-class club over "the border" Newport. There have been many stirring struggles between the two fifteens in the past and with Gloucester at last out of the earlier "slough of despond," we anticipate something to add to the long line of memories of grand games of Rugger. For these Usksiders are heirs to a great tradition; they play to a pattern of Rugby that is brainy and almost reduced to an exact science. Good luck then, to the men in the black and amber colours, for we are sure they will give of their best this afternoon. And so too, will our own lads - to prevent Newport from achieving the "double." "
"Newport's record this season reads :- Won 24, Drawn 3, Lost 5. Points for 370, against 103."
"BALANCE IT UP"
"IN attempting to assess the balance of possibilities and probabilities for today's encounter, no one can deny that Gloucester's performances against Welsh sides this season have been anything but inspiring! Until today, Gloucester have played five games with Principality sides - and lost them all. The "All Blacks" from Neath have achieved the double and Cardiff, Aberavon and Newport have all registered one win. Newport's success at Rodney Road was by the decisive margin of 16 points to nil and altogether in those five games, the balance of points against Gloucester has not been very encouraging - 73 points to 20."
"Not very encouraging, you say? Among those five defeats, however, was our "near win" at Cardiff, a team since defeated by our Visitors of today. Perhaps, too, you will have noticed that Newport had a narrow escape at home last Saturday, when Rosslyn Park ran them to a single point, 12 - 11."
"A WELCOME REVIVAL"
"FINALLY, let us remember the very marked revival Gloucester have shown since the weather permitted a resumption of Rugger. In the last two games, Gloucester have run up 37 points - and we have to go back to the first two matches of the season to find a comparable situation with George Hastings, now proud possessor of four English "caps," back in the side, and it is to be hoped, a Gloucester at full strength, we can face today's game with confidence and hope."
"A win today could be the prelude to a "grandstand" finish to the 1954-55 season. The Club's playing record is beginning to look more respectable and the debit balance between wins and losses is not so depressing as it was. Twelve games - possibly 13 - remain on the card, and it could well be that after all, the season's record will not be too bad."