FIN Smith was not able to lead his England under-20 side to a winning start in Italy as they were beaten by South Africa in the Under 20 Six Nations Summer Series opener.

The Baby Boks proved too strong for the England youngsters as they eventually ran out 30-22 winners, with Smith kicking two conversions and a penalty in the losing cause.

Worcester Warriors' Finn Theobald-Thomas and Tobi Wilson both featured off the bench in the second-half. Wilson's appearance was his first for his country, whilst hooker Theobald-Thomas played in the Six Nations campaign earlier this year.

Elsewhere, there was involvement for two of Worcester's newest recruits as both Renato Giammarioli and Hame Faiva played for Italy in their first match of the summer in Lisbon against Portugal.

The pair, who were signed earlier this year for the 2022/23 season at Warriors, started the game that Italy went on to win 38-31 in an entertaining affair in the Portuguese capital.

Giammarioli and Faiva have two games left with the Azzurri , against Romania and Georgia, before they arrive at Sixways for the first time.