RUGBY star Andy Gomarsall consoled himself after England lost to South Africa in the World Cup final by drinking until the early hours with Prince William.

And as thousands of fans headed back across the Channel after England's rollercoaster tournament the former Bicester Rugby Club player was left to mull over what might have been.

After the match the players, wives and families shared drinks with both Princes William and Harry.

Andy's mother, Sue Gomarsall said: "Andrew told me 'It's quite bizarre when I was at the bar a guy came up behind me and hugged me. It was the future King of England telling me I'm a top man - how unbelievable is that.'"

After the match scrum half Andy, one of England's players of the tournament, confessed: "The story should have had a different ending."

His mother travelled to Paris for the showdown with South Africa and admitted she was "devastated" by the loss, but immensely proud of her son.

Mrs Gomarsall, who flew out with daughter Emily, said: "Andrew was very philosophical about it in the end.

"But I'm devastated. It was not the ending we wanted.

"We saw him after the game and he just sat with us for a while in shock. You put your heart and soul and every effort into it and it's not the right result.

"But I wouldn't have wanted to be anywhere else."

The battling 33-year-old No. 9, who also went to Oxford Brookes University was turning out for a pub team only 12 months before lining up in the biggest game in his career.

Andy's sister Emily admitted being in floods of tears after the match, but Mrs Gomarsall believes the whole tournament will be making of her son.

The rugby hero was already without his wife and two children at the match because they were stuck in Australia at a wedding and could not catch a flight back.

And his mother and sister almost missed the start of the game because of an organisational blunder at the Stade de France.

They only managed to get inside 15 minutes before kick-off.

SO GLAD I WAS THERE'

Devoted England rugby fan Mark Jempson closed his business and forked out £750 for his World Cup final ticket, but said he had no regrets.

Mr Jempson, of Shipton-under-Wychwood, and his brother Sam paid £1,500 for two tickets from Internet site eBay.

He closed his store Marc Philippe men's ties and accessories, off High Street, Witney, on Saturday to make the journey.

He said: "I took a bit of a gamble with the tickets and it paid off. It was worth every penny. Even if I knew the result before I would have still gone and done it.

"I've had about three hours sleep in the car but the last 48 hours have been fun, but I'm running on empty."