The men were pronounced dead at the scene

Bram Lane, 64, and son Chris, 27, are believed to have been overcome by fumes as they used a pump to clear water.

Club secretary John Williams said Bram usually organised the French tour and the veterans' tournament in Dieppe in May would be dedicated to his memory.

"Bram had many French friends, many who remember him fondly," he said.

He organised many things but this really was his event John Williams Tewkesbury club secretary

Mr Williams - who was one of Bram's closest friends, said the whole team was "praying" the flooding did not devastate the town again.

"Thankfully, the clubhouse has not flooded this year. The problems we had last year were from extreme weather," he said.

"We are just praying it will stay as a 'normal' flood. Of course, the weather evokes memories of Bram, but I remember him every day.

"The trip to France is something we've done for many years now and this will be our 14th. Bram used to organise it - he organised a lot of things for the club, but this really was his event."

The commemorative match follows a special posthumous award to Mr Lane by the Rugby Writers' Club.

An audience of 800 people attended the ceremony where his lifelong dedication to rugby, and especially the Tewkesbury club, was celebrated.