From the match programme:-
"That slightly sinful feeling"
"There's always a sense of getting away with something at a match like this. Even during the Christmas break, one's hormones try to tell one that watching a game of Rugby on a weekday afternoon isn't really the done thing: that one should really be doing something constructive in the way of earning an honest crust."
"Nevertheless, I expect we can all stifle our consciences sufficiently to give today's visitors the welcome they deserve. Let's face it, even in the halcyon days of last season, Newport gave us an almighty thrashing on the equivalent match to this, played at Rodney Parade. And you'll remember that it was a similar lambasting, two years ago, which led eventually to the team changes which gave us last year's successful campaign."
"Of course, the traffic hasn't been one way. The home game at Christmas 1980 saw us win a thriller, by 13 hard-earned points to 11, and last season's home game resulted in a 19-0 victory. So what it amounts to is that you can't really trust the form books, personal reputations or past records when trying to forecast the result of the colourful confrontation between the Cherry and Whites and the Black and Ambers."
"One thing is sure, much more experienced Kingsholm hands than I am tell me that Gloucester v. Newport has always been one of the highlights of the Kingsholm Season. Personally, I only go back to the great 44-cap Ken Jones, but I can certainly vouch for the accuracy of that statement since then."
"So let's forget what day of the week it is, and simply - as Confucius said - lay back and enjoy it."
"The only laying back Newport will be doing, will be good ball to the scrum half, but we hope they enjoy themselves tremendously. We give them the heartiest of Kingsholm welcomes, and thank them for being such a valuable part of the Seasonal scene."
"Good to see you again, chaps!"
"Tailpiece"
"The Installation of a new Dean of Gloucester Cathedral is a great event - even a historic one. But it's a shame when it has to interfere with Religion."
"Think of me, sitting in the Cathedral, while you're watching England play France, either in person, or on the Box."
"PETER ARNOLD."