Georgia will turn their Six Nations Under-20 Summer Series campaign around with a win against Wales, according to scrum-half Konstantine Iashvili.

Their tournament began with a spirited defeat against Italy on Saturday, having led twice in the first half before the Azzurini completed a 36-19 comeback victory.

Iashvili was impressed by the way his team competed and believes the level of physicality and intensity on show bodes well for the rest of the Summer Series in Treviso.

“It was tough, Italy has a great team,” he said.

“We could win, I think, in the last minutes but we made some easy mistakes, and they are a great international team so they used our mistakes and made some great counter attacks.

“So it was hard, but I do think it was possible to win. We are so frustrated, we could (win) but we didn’t.

“We lost this game I think, and they didn’t win it.”

The Junior Lelos had earlier made a stunning start, with hooker Nika Sutidze powering over inside 90 seconds at the Stadio Di Monigo.

Second-row Paata Galdava then finished off a fantastic team move for Georgia’s second, but roared on by a feverish home crowd, Italy fought back and showed why they are so revered at U20 level, with five well-worked scores of their own.

“We started well but they came back very strongly and it was very hard,” said Iashvili.

“In the attacks and the contact areas I don’t think we lost.

“I think we will win the next match against Wales. But they are a great team too so we hope we will that match.”

Fitness could be a decisive factor against Byron Hayward’s side. Wales were able to rotate their starting fifteen heavily having wrapped up victory over Scotland long before the final whistle.

Georgia meanwhile, fought until the last whistle against the tournament hosts, and it remains to be seen what impact that has on a squad with minimal match practice.

“We played in South Africa against older teams and we lost by some very big scores,” said Iashvili, discussing his team’s preparation for the Summer Series.

“So it was really the first international game in a long time,” said Iashvili.

The No.9 believes the squad coped well with an intimidating atmosphere and showed great maturity to start so well.

Having been refamiliarized with the cut and thrust of international rugby, he is backing them to raise their game for their remaining Pool B fixtures, against Wales on Thursday and Scotland on July 6th.  

“It was a great experience,” said Iashvili. 

“For some of our players their first international tournament, some have just been in U18s.

“It was a very good experience and we will progress very well.”

The Six Nations Under-20 Summer Series takes place from 24 June – 12 July. Fans can watch every match live. For more information visit: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJHm6BFw-9JRA1CMekNLwMg