Bunner Travers was chosen as captain in 1939-40 but only played 5 matches. He and most of the previous season's pack as well as Harold Isaac, had joined the First Monmouthshire Regiment and was on military duty.

The usual fixture list was arranged but on the outbreak of war all these fixtures were cancelled on the instructions of the English and Welsh Unions. However they later agreed to clubs arranging a modified list and Newport decided to play clubs within a 60 mile radius.

In Travers' absence Walter Legge led the side. Victories were achieved against Cardiff, Cross Keys (3), Penarth (2), Aberavon, Bath, Weston (2), Ebbw Vale (2), Army, and Bridgend and defeats suffered against Cardiff (3), Pontypool (2), Aberavon , Neath (2), Swansea (2) and Bridgend. There were two drawn matches against Cross Keys and Bath .

Leading try scorers were M. Harding with 11 (from 16 games) and Jack Adams with 6. Ned Shiner (22), Jack Bale (22), Walter Legge (21), Jack Jerman (20) and Frank Osmond (20) made the most appearances.