Macaulay Campbell of Rownhams turned in a man-of-the-match performance just hours before he died in a car crash

Macaulay Campbell, 20, died at the scene of a collision on the A3057 near Romsey Golf Course on Saturday night.

Scores of mourners gathered at the site of the crash today to leave flowers and messages to the popular rugby player.

• Tributes: Devastated friends revealed their sadness at the news >>>

The outpouring of grief came after Mac’s family spoke of their sadness at his death, describing him as “a truly loving and active young man”.

And Ewald van Zyl, his coach at Romsey Rugby Club, said Mac could “always put a smile on your face”.

As previously reported, Mac turned in a man-of-the-match performance for the rugby club just hours before his death.

He was awarded the honour when Romsey beat Alresford 19-3, to extend their unbeaten in the Snows Group Hampshire 2.

A coach at the club described Mac, who has been at the club since the age of nine, as a phenomenal talent who was superb anywhere on the rugby field.

Mac, from Rownhams, was driving his black Volkswagen Lupo when it was in collision with a silver BMW 520. The male driver of the BMW and a female passenger were taken toSouthampton General Hospital.

Their injuries were not life-threatening or life-changing, police said.

Officers have appealed for witnesses or anyone who saw either vehicle before the fatal crash, which happened at about 10.30pm.

Yesterday floral tributes had been laid near the crash site near Romsey Golf Club.

In a statement, Mac’s family paid tribute to him saying: “Mac has tragically lost his life in a car crash on the Romsey Road, near Rownhams.

“He was a very loving son to parents Tracy and Colin and brother to Luke, Sam, Maisie and stepdad Rod."

"He was also grandson to Pippa, Frank, Mary, Sally, Frank and Jill and boyfriend to his long-standing girlfriend Fleur.

“Mac was a truly loving and active young man in the prime of his life.

“He enjoyed his work as an apprentice fitter with Sparks Commercial Services of Totton and he loved his sport, especially rugby.

"On the day of the crash he had played for his team Romsey Rugby Club and had achieved man of the match along with a victory over the opponents.

"Mac will be very much missed by his family and all that knew him.”

Romsey Rugby Football Club head coach Mr van Zyl told the Daily Echo how everyone was devastated by Mac’s death.

Mr Van Zyl said: “He was an outstanding rugby player, he was always leading by example and working hard both on the training field and in the match.

“Socially in the club he has been a phenomenon, he will be greatly missed, he was an unbelievable lad.

“He is the type of lad that made a room light up, he was always happy and always had a smile on his face.

“He would always light up the moment, he would be the number one guy.

"If you wanted to have a laugh he would cheer you up - he would just put a smile on your face.

“I think knowing Mac, what he would want is to go and win the league.

"We are doing very well and he would have wanted that to continue.”

“Words can’t describe the effect Mac’s loss has had on the club."

At least 50 bunches of flowers with heart-breaking messages to Macauley Campbell have been placed on the A3057 between Nursling and Romsey.

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.”

“Mac, gone but never forgotten.”

Friends of the 20-year-old were in floods of tears at the scene of the crash and had left mementoes amongst the flowers, including a ruby shirt, bottles of beer and WKD and a teddy bear.

A spokeswoman for South Central Ambulance Service said: “We got the call at 10.34pm to the A3057 to a two vehicle road traffic collision.

“We sent an ambulance officer, our hazardous area response team, a rapid response vehicle and two ambulance crews.

"Sadly one patient was confirmed deceased at the scene and two patients were assessed and treated by our crews and taken to Southampton General Hospital.”

Also at the scene were fire engines from Redbridge and St Mary’s. Anyone with information on the crash can contact PC Paul Brown at the Serious Collisions Investigation Unit on 101 and quote Operation Castington.

Alternatively any witnesses can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.