THE rugby community up and down the country have rallied around the loved ones of former Bath player Tom Voyce who went missing during floods caused by Storm Darragh.

Police fear Mr Voyce, 43, who played nine times for England, as well for club sides Bath, Gloucester and Wasps in Premiership Rugby, died after trying to cross a swollen ford in his car in Northumberland.

Search teams gathered and scoured the banks of the river from Abberwick Ford, near Alnwick, Northumberland, after his vehicle is thought to have been pulled along by the current of the water.

He did not return home from an evening with friends on Saturday (December 7)

England Rugby are among those to have expressed its support for Mr Voyce’s family at this very difficult time.

They wrote: “Out thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Tom Voyce at this extremely challenging time.”

Similar messages have come from Premiership Rugby and the British & Irish Lions, while former club Gloucester posted: “We are desperately sad to hear the distressing news regarding our former player and friend. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Tom's family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.”

Penryn Rugby Club, one of Mr Voyce’s first clubs in Cornwall, added: “Our thoughts and prayers go to Tom’s family, friends and everyone affected.”

His wife Anna and family have thanked police, friends and the local community for their help and support.

A search has been ongoing since Sunday lunchtime (December 8) and his vehicle has since been found. However, a spokesperson for Northumbria Police said: “It is believed in his attempts to escape he has been swept away and tragically died.”

Specialist officers from the Northumbria Police's Marine Section, the National Police Air Service, drones and dog handlers have all been deployed in the search.

Volunteers from the North of Tyne Mountain Rescue have also been assisting alongside Mr Voyce's family and friends.

Northumbria police Chief Supt, Helena Barron, said: “This is an extremely tragic incident and our thoughts are very much with Tom's loved ones at this time.”

During a distinguished playing career, Mr Voyce won nine caps for England during his career and spent six years at Wasps, from 2003 to 2009, where he helped them win European and domestic titles, moving there from Bath and then leaving to join Gloucester in 2009. He made a total of 220 Premiership appearances before retiring in May 2013.