PLAYERS from Bournemouth Rugby Club will be making an emotional journey to Birmingham on Tuesday to say a final farewell to their teammate Sam Yarwood.

Some of them will help to carry Sam’s coffin to the church and crematorium services.

They will be among 100 people who are expected to make the trip from Dorset to the Midlands for the funeral of the 22-year-old record-breaking winger.

Sam died on April 6 after getting into difficulties in a canoeing incident in Ullswater lake in the Lake District.

Although a massive rescue operation was launched, Sam was discovered in the water. He died later in hospital.

Sam lived in Parkstone, Poole, with his girlfriend Rachel Pitman and worked at LA Fitness in Poole. He arrived at Bournemouth Rugby Club in September and had scored 27 tries in the league – a season club record.

Speaking yesterday, Bournemouth Lions coach David Dunn said: “The club will have a big presence at Sam’s funeral and we are potentially taking two coaches to Birmingham next Tuesday.

“Members of the team will be helping to carry Sam on his final journey and we have a floral tribute on behalf of the club at the request of the family.

“We will also be presenting Sam’s shirt to his family.”

Sam’s funeral will be held at 11am on Tuesday for a church service at Immanuel Church in Highters Heath, Birmingham, followed by committal at Robin Hood Cemetery and Crematorium at 1pm.

A reception and tribute will be held at 2pm at Moseley Rugby Club in Billesley, Birmingham.

All friends and family are welcome. Family flowers only. Donations can be made through Thomas Bragg and Sons, 562 Stratford Road, Shirley, Solihull, B90 4AY.

All proceeds will be split between the Air Ambulance Service and the Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association in recognition of their attempts to save Sam.