A MAN-of-the-match rugby player who died in a car crash drank double the driving limit before the head-on collision, an inquest heard.

Macaulay Campbell, known as Mac, was on the wrong side of the road when he smashed into an oncoming car on the A3057 between Nursling and Romsey.

The 20-year-old was said to have texted his girlfriend earlier that evening to say he had consumed “too many drinks to drive".

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Mac's car burst into flames after the crash in February.

The accident sent shockwaves through the rugby community and a charity club night was organised to remember him.

Winchester Coroner's Court heard how Mac, from Rownhams, was in high spirits after being named man of the match for Romsey Rugby Club after they beat Alresford 19-3 on February 20.

He had a pint after the game in Alresford and continued drinking with teammates at Romsey Rugby Club’s clubhouse, the hearing was told.

The inquest heard he texted his girlfriend Fleur Gollogly and said he had “too many drinks to drive”. She offered him a lift that evening, but he could not decide on his plans.

They had another conversation at 10.15pm, and he was still undecided on what he would do that evening.

Ms Gollogly told the inquest she had left messages and called him several times but could not get through.

Ten minutes later Mac's car hit a BMW 520 on the northbound A3057.

A toxicology test found he had 172mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood in his system - just over twice the driving limit of 80mg.

The BMW driver, Mark Penn-Newman, relived the crash.

He said: “I am driving along and there is darkness, then there are headlights then there’s a bang. It was that quick.”

“The car was on my side of the road. I could not even flinch - there was no time.”

He and his wife, Rosemary, were taken to hospital and released the next day Motorist Christopher Clutterbuck told the inquest he was overtaken by a Volkswagen Lupo, which he estimated was going at up to 70mph.

Moments later he saw the aftermath of the crash and went to help the drivers.

Mr Clutterbuck said he tried to get Mr Campbell out of the smoking Volkswagen, but it was too late.

The car later exploded with Mac inside.

Collision investigator Michaela Mehigan said alcohol was major factor in the crash and hindered Mac’s judgement of speed, ability to react and hindered his judgement.

She could not explain why he was on the wrong side of the road.

Senior coroner Grahame Short recorded a verdict of death due to road traffic collision.

Mr Short said: “It was clearly Mac’s decision to drive, he should have known not to drive when he left the clubhouse.”

In a statement, Mr Campbell’s family described him as very popular and well-liked.

More than 1,200 people attended a huge club night in memory of the sportsman at Switch nightclub last month – two days before what would have been his 21st birthday.

The MacFest night generated nearly £20,000 for good causes and followed a massive internet campaign aiming to set up an outdoor music festival this summer.