1965-66 saw the arrival of exciting prospect Bob Phillips to understudy David Watkins who was given a second season of captaincy. Two newcomers who made big impressions were fullback John Anthony and prop Martin Webber and late in the season John Jeffrey joined. Cliff Williams joined in October from Cross Keys to fill the problem scrum half berth left when Bob Prosser went North.

David Watkins, Brian Price and Stuart Watkins helped Wales to win the international championship. Sadly Vice President Bill Everson died.

In January 1966 Newport said they no longer require the services of Stuart Watkins - a brave decision as he was Newport's leading try scorer at the time and had scored 6 tries in 8 Wales appearances. A week later after an apology from Watkins, he was reinstated. Ivor Taylor, a centre who had understudied Dick Uzzell, played 33 matches and scored 2 hat-tricks becoming a favourite with the supporters. John Anthony led both the appearances (40) and the points scoring (105 pts) more than adequately filling the place left by Ray Cheney who had joined Cardiff . Despite the earlier "falling-out" with Newport Stuart Watkins excelled as top try scorer with 19 tries.