Warriors’ fly-half Fin Smith helped England win the delayed Under-20s Six Nations and complete a Grand Slam with a hard-earned 27-17 win over Italy at Cardiff Arms Park.
Smith came on as 54th minute replacement and helped England to withstand a brave fightback by Italy to complete a successful tournament with a fifth straight bonus point win.
Two second half tries from left wing Arthur Relton proved decisive, the winner coming in the 71st minute, after Italy had recovered from being 22-3 down to narrow the gap to five points before Smith joined the action.
England led 17-0 at half-time through tries from Orlando Bailey and Jack Bates plus two conversions and a penalty from Tommy Matthews, the man Smith replaced.
Italy responded with two converted tries from their powerful pack and gave England their hardest match since their tournament opener against France.
Smith ended the tournament with a haul of 31 points, including his maiden try for England.
England’s Grand Slam-winning squad included two more members of the Three Pears Warriors Academy in loosehead prop Lewis Holsey, who started against France and then came off the bench against Wales, and centre Seb Atkinson, who was unused in the tournament.
Great tournament @lewisholsey & @finsmithh 🏆 pic.twitter.com/Ss0YrpL28U
— Worcester Warriors (@WorcsWarriors) July 13, 2021