PEWSEY Vale Rugby Club founder Dave Aroskin had his dream visit to Twickenham dampened by a poor England display.

Aroskin was invited to the home of rugby by RFU President Malcolm Philips to recognise his efforts and achievements at grass root level.

The Pewsey club secretary was left a little disappointed as he saw the national side slump to their second successive defeat in the competition.

He was nominated by the Wiltshire RFU for his contribution to Pewsey Rugby Club.

Aroskin, of Swan Meadow, Pewsey, started the club in 1992 after organising a one off friendly match to raise money for charity at the Pewsey Carnival.

From then on the club have gone from strength to strength and have gone from playing one match a year to playing in the Dorset and Wilts North League One

His reward for his relentless time and effort he had invested in the club was a trip to Twickenham to see the England versus France Six Nations game on Sunday.

He said: "It was a fantastic day and an amazing experience, it was just a pity the result did not go in our favour."

At half time Aroskin was looking forward to toasting to an England win as they were 17-3 up. Much to the disappointment of the 75,000 crowd France made a courageous come back to steal the game 18-17.

Aroskin was also invited to a special black tie dinner where he was sat next to France legend Michelle Ceylon.

Ceylon was France's star number eight between 1955 and 1963. He made his debut for France against England at Twickenham.

Aroskin said: "With my broken French and his broken English we managed to have some sort of conversation.

"He is a French legend and it was pretty special having dinner with him."

The secretary's highlight of the day was meeting wing sensation Jason Robinson.

"We had a chat about the game and he was extremely disappointed with the result.

"Unfortunately the players that were at the meal did not stay long as they met up with the French players for their private party somewhere else in London."

Aroskin was amazed by England's finest Rugby stadium as he was taken on the grand tour.

"I have been to Twickenham on numerous occasions but never when it has been empty.

"It was so big it got a little eerie as it is a huge place."

On his tour Aroskin went to the English rugby museum and saw the rugby crown jewels.

The crown jewels are a collection of gifts given to them by opposite teams, it includes a gold dragon given to them by Wales and a clock presented by New Zealand.

"The jewels were amazing, the museum is a great place for a rugby fan to visit."

To enhance the reputation of his rugby club, Aroskin took the opportunity to give RFU President Philips a Pewsey Vale tie.

Aroskin was not the only Wiltshire representative at Twickenham as he was accompanied by senior members of the Wiltshire RFU.

At the lunch before the match he sat with Wiltshire RFU representative Willie Wildash and President Arthur Wilding.