Tributes have been paid to Macaulay Campbell of Rownhams, who died in a car crash on Saturday night

Tearful mourners gathered to leave flowers and mementoes including a Romsey Rugby Club shirt, bottles of beer, and a teddy bear at the site of the crash between Romsey and Nursling on the A3057.

His death on Saturday night has left his team mates at Romsey Rugby Club and the rugby-playing community in Hampshire “in shock”.

Mac, 20, was killed died when his black VW Lupo was involved in a collision with a silver BMW 520 near Romsey Golf Club, just hours after turning in a man-of-the-match performance for his team.

At least 50 bunches of flowers with heart-breaking messages to Mac were placed alongside the A3057 between Nursling and Romsey where the talented sportsman died.

One tribute read: “To Mac, gonna miss you a lot buddy, won’t be the same without you. Sleep tight."

Others said: “Rest in peace brother, see you one day,” “Love you forever and always,” and “Mac, gone but never forgotten.”

A former prefect at Mountbatten School, Mac had been integral in his club remaining undefeated record in 14 games this season.

John Lee, chairman of Romsey Rugby Club said: "Mac had been a part of the club nine years.

He said he showed “leadership qualities on the field” with his impressive record.

“He was the life and soul of the group, always with a big smile on his face, always happy, always up for fun", he added.

Scores of people met up in The Horns pub on Sunday night “quietly remembering” the former Barton Peveril Sixth Form College student.

John added: “[His team mates] are mainly still in shock. They haven’t got further than that. They’re finding it difficult to believe what’s happened. They were a very lively group.”

Alresford Rugby Club, who were defeated by Romsey 19-3 on Saturday afternoon, also paid tribute to him.

A spokesman for the club said: “We as a club would like to extend our heartfelt condolences and sympathies to Mac’s family, friends and everyone at Romsey RUFC affected by this tragic loss.

“Many Alresford players have already been in touch to express their shock and offer their condolences.

"The general feeling amongst our players is that he was a talented young man on the pitch and a real gentleman off it.

"He will be missed.”

Their next fixture is not until March 5 when they will play Aldershot and Fleet.

Head teachers at the schools he attended also paid tribute to him.

Heather McIlroy, executive headteacher at Mountbatten School: “Mac was enormously popular with students and staff alike.

"He threw himself wholeheartedly into the wider life of the school, enthusiastically taking part in Rock Challenge and sporting activities.

"He was always smiling and saw the good in everybody.”

Jonathan Prest, principal of Barton Peveril Sixth Form College, said: “Our thoughts are with Macauley Campbell’s family and friends at this desperately sad time.”

Mac studied a sport diploma course at Barton Peveril College between 2011 and 2013.

The couple in the silver BMW 520 – a male driver and a female passenger – were taken to Southampton General Hospital following the crash.

Their injuries were not life-threatening or life-changing and they were due to leave hospital yesterday.

Hampshire police said they are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.

The crash near Romsey Golf Club on Saturday night follows an incident nearly three years ago when 19-year old Steven Johnson was killed while he was walking down the middle of the road.

Anyone with any information about the crash should contact Hampshire police on 101 quoting Operation Castington or incident number 44160074729.