From the match programme:-
"Following their customary January spell of away games, Newport return to Rodney Parade to-day to commence a most attractive programme of home fixtures during the month of February. Oxford University are visitors on Thursday next, the eagerly awaited third meeting with Cardiff is on February 19th, while Blackheath will be entertained the following Saturday."
"But firstly of to-day's meeting with Llanelly. During the postwar period Newport have enjoyed a greater measure of success against this famous West Wales Club than can normally be claimed, and only once at Llanelly last season have they been beaten, although the season 1946/7 was rather a distinguished one by producing two pointless draws between the Clubs. There have been some particularly bright, entertaining meetings of recent years, an outstanding example of which was the game at Stradey Park earlier in the season when Newport won an outstanding match by 16 points to 11. While their playing record this season is hardly up to their usual standard, Llanelly are persisting in bright, open football, and to-day's meeting should be of a really worth-while standard."
"Newport return to the Athletic Grounds after two big victories in London which, if hardly serious tests, have given proof of the side's scoring power. 52 points were piled up in the two games, and in winning 18 of the 23 matches played to date, with one drawn, and a points register of 304 against 110, the season continues to provide the best post-war record enjoyed by the Club. Hedley Rowland, captain inspiring, with 19 tries to date, easily heads the scorers. In each of Newport's last three games he has scored two tries, and should far surpass his previous best scoring effort for the Club of 22 tries in the 1945/6 season."
"Is this Wales' year for the Triple Crown? To-day's meeting with Scotland may well decide the issue, and in view of the great interest, our Supporters will, this afternoon, be kept informed by loud speaker from time to time of the progress of events from Murrayfield. With Ken Jones, W. Travers, E. Coleman and John Gwilliam again representing Wales, and Hadyn Thomas travelling as reserve, Newport will still field a strong side to-day. Wynford Davies will be at inside-half, while in the forwards Jack Bale returns as hooker with R. Rowland and young Partridge from the United supporting him in the front rank of the scrum."