In 1945-46 Jim Hawkins continued his captaincy from the previous season and although 55 players were needed, the pattern of Newport rugby was being shaped and fashioned by the solid half-backs Alf Panting and Jim Hawkins and the irrepressible but unpredictable centre play of Hedley Rowland. Hedley had a profound influence on Newport's style of attractive play.

Several players who were to play a major part in Newport's illustrious history appeared including R. T. Evans who was to become one of the game's finest wing forwards, John A. Gwilliam, who led Wales to two Triple Crowns, Jack Bale, a future captain and Peter Davies who was to be one of Newport's strongest forwards over 9 seasons before going North.

The 538pts scored reflected Newport's style of play. Hedley Rowland was top scorer with 20 tries and 3 dgs while Jim Hawkins made the most appearances with 35. Newport held the New Zealand Kiwis to a draw scoring a try to a penalty and seven Newport players helped Monmouthshire to a sensational 15 v 0 win over the Kiwis at Pontypool Park with Hedley Rowland scoring a hat-trick and Jim Hawkins dropping a goal.