1953-54 saw Ken Jones given his second term of captaincy: he had missed many matches in 1950-51 being on tour with the British Lions. Ken celebrated by winning his 35th Welsh Cap and so equalled Dicky Owen's record.

Names like Brian Jones, Onllwyn Brace and Garfield Owen began to appear and yet another great hooker had been discovered with Bryn Meredith. College claims on Leighton Jenkins and Bryn Meredith, who won their first Welsh caps, hindered Newport as did fullback and centre problems but a youngster from Llanharan, a certain Garfield Owen, was to solve the former and was picked to play against the Barbarians.

Injuries (including Roy Burnett) meant that Brian Jones was blooded at the age of 18yrs and he also played against the touring All Blacks. In fact this was the most notable match of the season and Newport with only 14 fit men put up a tremendous show to lose by goal kicks 6 v 11. Ken Jones was leading try score with 17 while Lyn Davies (33) and John Lane (32) led the appearances.

The end of the season also saw the inaugural Snelling Sevens Cup competition played for, and won by, Newport, at Rodney Parade.