What followed was 80 minutes of intense rugby between two highly-spirited nations, their passion evident with fists thrown, players broken and ambulances sent towards the ER.
A short intermission allowed for the Thai tradition of a celebrity exhibition game. What exactly they were exhibiting we could not entirely be sure, although we did learn that our occasional flyhalf, K. Mike, is not only a decent rugby player but also a Thai celebrity…go figure.
The contest was as one-sided as was to be expected, with the Japs running out easy winners against Kazakhstan, much to the delight of our friends from the Bangkok Japanese RUFC, and female spectators.
The Japanese players were harassed during their cool down, a game ball may or may not have been stolen from the hands of an eight year old by one of the Southerners netballers, and plans were made to congregate for a feed and rehydration.
Rugby old boy in Amlin Cup
Before coming to Southerners rugby, Tim Evans was a scrawny Welsh farm boy in dire need of a pie and a protein shake.
Ten months later, and he’s playing in the Amlin Challenge Cup for the Spanish-based Rugby Club La Vila, against some of European rugby’s biggest names in what is a feeder into the Heineken Cup.
“When he came to the Southerners earlier this year, we knew we had a roughie on our hands. He was tall, but lacked bulk – some would say he still does. He also came to us as a Welsh P.E. teacher, which is never a great indicator of intelligence. 
But then there was just something about him that made me think I could mold him into a rugby superstar,” said coach Zorba.
Skipper Steve Bell thought the same. “My first impressions? I thought he had hands like a retarded arctic seal. Strange bloke. Orange from all that fake tan – I thought he may have actually been on dialysis or something. But we were able to teach him a few tricks – like catch/pass – and he did alright.”
Other boys in the club had other questions: “Is Rugby Club La Vila a gay club? His moustache makes him look like one of the village people,” said Southerners first-five Brett Clarke. “I knew that cuzzie could play, just knew it, ay bro. But still, it was strange how often he rupped his shirt off on Khao San Road.”
In Rugby Club La Vila’s pool are the UK-based Sale Sharks and French teams Brive and Agen.
In true Southerners style, Evans will get the opportunity to dominate players like Jamie Robinson, Andy Powell, Sami Tuitupo, Johnny Leota, Shane Geraghty and Jamie Noon.
Best of luck to the man the fellas affectionately call, “Tim”. Let’s hope he can manage a bit of time back in Bangkok between all those autograph signings.