Injured and agitated, Ryan Wilson hired a camper van last weekend and took his family on a road trip. While Scotland were in Georgia, Wilson, his wife Bex and their three young children left Glasgow and headed north with their pots, pans and sleeping bags. Destination anywhere.

Wilson had picked up a knock and was unable to travel to Tbilisi to hammer home his case for inclusion in Gregor Townsend's World Cup squad. To say he was worried doesn't quite cover it.

His week might have ended blissfully with a spot on the plane to Japan as well as being given the honour of captaining his country for the first time in the final warm-up game against Georgia at Murrayfield on Friday, but the man was made to sweat.

We don't normally get to see that fretful side of Wilson's persona. This is a guy who tried to get a ukulele band up and running within the squad at the last World Cup in England, a guy who said he wanted to name his young son Wilson - not Wilson Wilson, he explained, just Wilson, like, er, Ronaldinho - until his wife told him to button it, a player who once messaged a podcast to ask special guest, and qualified pilot, Stuart McInally, if he'd ever thrown a tangerine out of the window of his aeroplane.

Wilson is a wisecracker, but last weekend was tricky - and madcap. "Honestly, my memory is so bad," he says. "I can't really remember how I was feeling before the squad was announced for the World Cup four years ago, but I can't imagine I was as nervous as I was this time.

"Maybe it's because I'm getting older [he's 30]. I might cling on for the next one, you never know, but this one might be the last and that's probably why I was so nervous. I was an absolute nightmare. When I picked up an injury before the game last week against Georgia I couldn't do anything else [to influence selection] and that made me worse."

Wilson is a smart rugby player, a back-row forward with a skill-set almost as sharp as his tongue when noising up opponents. He's not one of the modern-day monsters capable of blasting across the gain-line with a power that's unplayable, but his mobility and pace and intelligence are integral to the way Townsend wants to play.

Why the anxiety about selection then? Others put themselves forward, no doubt about it. Magnus Bradbury has been out injured but some tipped him to make the cut nonetheless. Bradbury, at his best, is a powerful player. Matt Fagerson had his supporters, too. Wilson was genuinely concerned about getting culled in favour of those younger guns.

'I celebrated with a cup of soup cooked on my little hob'

"I rented a Winnebago, against my wife's wishes, and said, 'Right, we're going away for the weekend'," he explains. "We went to Ballater in Aberdeenshire, parking up in random car parks in the middle of nowhere. It was amazing, I loved it. I was up in the morning cooking eggs on the frying pan on the ol' stove. It was an escape.

"If I hadn't made the squad I'm not sure I was coming back. Nobody would have seen me. I would have just disappeared into the wilderness. I was stressing out about not making it. I had to get away, had to get my head out of thinking about it constantly at home.

"Coming back down the A9, the van swinging around in the wind, I got a call to tell me I was in. I pulled over at the side of the road and celebrated with a cup of soup, cooked it on my little hob, up by Gleneagles there. The sun finally came out. It was lovely."

He phoned his dad. Now his dad is what can be euphemistically called a character. Ryan Wilson Snr comes with a reputation for boisterousness when following his son's rugby career.

"Put it this way, I fully expect a conversation with Gregor where he asks me to give him reassurances that dad isn't staying in any of the team hotels," says the Glasgow Warrior. "When I phoned him he started giving me a row because I hadn't been in touch in a few days. I usually phone him every morning. 'No call, no photos, nothing', He had a bit of wine in him, I think. I said, 'Hold on, dad, before we have an argument you should know that I made the squad. He was chuffed to bits.

"We'll see if my old man makes it out. God help Japan if he gets there. I'm waiting for Toony to have a word with me, though. Any day now. 'He's not staying in our hotel, is he?"

In the intensity of a World Cup, where players live in each other's pockets for weeks on end, you need characters of all kinds. Most of all you need the ones who can lift the mood with a bit of noise and nonsense. Wilson is the go-to man for entertainment.

"We're away for a long time, six to eight weeks," he says. "If everybody was like Fraser Brown we'd be in trouble. Sorry, Chuckles. Being together constantly for that length of time is hard, so it's important to have a laugh and that's a side I like to bring as much as possible."

From camper van to captaincy in a week. From hiding out in Ballater to running out at Murrayfield. The proudest moment of a momentous week is almost upon him.

Rhys Patchell will start at fly-half in Wales' final World Cup warm-up game, against Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.

Captain and lock Alun Wyn Jones is among those who return.

Tomos Williams partners Patchell at half-back with Leigh Halfpenny at full-back and George North and Josh Adams on the wings.

There are no uncapped players in an experienced Wales matchday squad as they prepare for the tournament in Japan.

British and Irish Lions Ken Owens, Dan Biggar and Liam Williams are on the bench as Wales coach Warren Gatland assesses his options for their World Cup opener against Georgia on Monday, 23 September.

Scarlets' Patchell beat Cardiff Blues' Jarrod Evans to be Biggar's rival for Wales' 10 jersey in Japan after they each played a half last Saturday against Ireland.

'Big opportunity'

Gatland said: "This is our final preparation match so it is important we get enough rugby into us, get rugby ready ahead of our RWC opener against Georgia which is just over two weeks away.

"It is important we hit the ground running in Japan and we give the players enough time on the field.

"Saturday is the first time these players would have taken to the field as members of the RWC squad, it has been a big week and it is a big opportunity for players to put their hand up and secure spots for the starting XV in Japan."

Wales have suffered two defeats in their warm-ups.

The first came against England at Twickenham on 17 August, followed by victory against Eddie Jones' side a week later in Cardiff.

Gatland then saw a much-changed side lose to Ireland last weekend in the Welsh capital.

In the wake of that defeat, Gatland left out experienced Scarlets props Samson Lee and Rob Evans along with Ospreys centre Scott Williams from his 31-man tournament squad.

He cited suspect durability for the decision to leave Lee and Evans behind.

A leg fracture did not prevent Dragons lock Cory Hill from being included with Gatland saying his selection was "worth the gamble".

Hill's absence meant there were only three squad locks to select from for the trip to Dublin in captain Jones, Ball and Adam Beard.

Scarlets' Ball starts alongside Jones in Wales' second-row with the captain's fellow Osprey Beard among the replacements.

Wales: Leigh Halfpenny (Scarlets); George North (Ospreys), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets), Hadleigh Parkes (Scarlets), Josh Adams (Cardiff Blues); Rhys Patchell (Scarlets), Tomos Williams (Cardiff Blues); Wyn Jones (Scarlets), Elliot Dee (Dragons), Tomas Francis (Exeter), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Alun Wyn Jones (capt, Ospreys), Aaron Wainwright (Dragons), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Ross Moriarty (Dragons).

Replacements: Ken Owens (Scarlets), Nicky Smith (Ospreys), Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Blues), Adam Beard (Ospreys), Josh Navidi (Cardiff Blues), Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints), Liam Williams (Saracens).

England back Anthony Watson says England will not fear injuries in their final World Cup warm-up against Italy.

Number eight Billy Vunipola starts for the fourth successive match and captain Owen Farrell will play from the outset.

The match at St James' Park in Newcastle on Friday is England's last before they travel to Japan on Sunday.

"You can't worry about it and I'm not worried," said Watson, who makes his first start at full-back for England since an Achilles injury in March 2018.

"As soon as you start going into contact at 85% and start worrying about making sure you get on the plane on Sunday, you won't play as well as you can and you'd probably get injured anyway."

England open their World Cup campaign against Tonga on 22 September.

Wing Jack Nowell will still fly to Japan despite struggling with appendicitis and an ankle injury, while centres Henry Slade and Jonathan Joseph are still recovering from knee and leg muscle issues respectively.

One player who will not be risked on Friday is centre Manu Tuilagi, with Joe Marchant starting despite not being part of the World Cup squad.

Vunipola, who broke his arm three times in 2018, is the only player in head coach Eddie Jones' 31-man World Cup squad who will have started all four of the summer Tests, which could be considered a risk given Wales have already lost starting fly-half Gareth Anscombe to a warm-up injury.

But Farrell says 26-year-old forward Vunipola would not want to be sitting on the sidelines.

"Billy loves being out there, he loves being involved," he said. "He's looked in brilliant condition. He's been training well and playing well. It's good for him to get a run out."

England began their World Cup preparations with a convincing victory against Wales at Twickenham, before losing to the same opponents the following week. Jones' side recorded their biggest winning margin against Ireland then travelled to Treviso, Italy for a training camp.

Friday's match marks the first time an England Test will have been played at St James' Park.

Who will be England's World Cup full-back?

Elliot Daly had been Jones' first-choice full-back since last summer, but the 26-year-old has been rested for Italy's visit.

Watson, 25, is joined in the back three by Jonny May and Bath team-mate Ruaridh McConnochie, who is in the World Cup squad but has not yet won a cap because of injury.

After playing at wing for both of the matches against Wales, Watson insists he will not need a different approach for the change of position.

"My mindset doesn't really change that much. The roles of wing and full-back are very interchangeable," he explained.

"Playing wing in the last two games gives me a better perspective on what's expected from the full-back and what the full-back expects from his wingers.

"I just need to be very vocal, apart from that nothing really changes."

Wholesale changes for Italy

Italy coach Conor O'Shea has made 11 changes to the side that was beaten 47-19 by France last week, with captain Sergio Parisse rested for their final warm-up match.

New Zealand-born lock Dean Budd will lead the side and is joined in the pack by number eight Jimmy Tuivati, who is not in the World Cup squad.

Gloucester scrum-half Callum Braley, who captained England Under-20s to World Championship victory in 2014, makes his first start for Italy.

Italy begin their World Cup campaign against Namibia on 22 September.

Line-ups

England: Watson; McConnochie, Marchant, Francis, May; Farrell (c), Youngs; Marler, George, Cole, Launchbury, Lawes, Curry, Wilson, B Vunipola.

Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Genge, Sinckler, Ewels, Kvesic, Heinz, Ford, Cokanasiga.

Italy: Hayward; Bellini, Bisegni, Benvenuti, Padovani; Canna, Braley; Quaglio, Fabiani, Ferrari, Sisi, Budd (c), Negri, Steyn,Tuivaiti.

Replacements: Zani, Lovotti, Riccioni, Ruzza, Zanni, Mbanda, Palazzani, Allan.

Rory Best will captain Ireland against Wales on his final home appearance in Dublin on Saturday.

Best, who will retire after the Word Cup in Japan, leads a strong side for Ireland's final warm-up match.

As expected, Johnny Sexton makes his first start at fly-half while Robbie Henshaw and Keith Earls also feature in the backline.

Jean Kleyn, who was selected over Devin Toner in Joe Schmidt's 31-man squad, starts at lock alongside James Ryan.

Schmidt, who will also bid farewell to the Aviva Stadium after the Wales game, has made 12 changes from last weekend's victory over the same opposition in Cardiff.

Sexton, Henshaw and Earls all make their first appearances of the warm-up fixtures while Jordan Larmour replaces Jacob Stockdale on the wing.

Rob Kearney comes in for Will Addison, who was omitted from the World Cup squad, at full-back.

There will be much focus on Sexton's half-back partnership with Conor Murray after a disappointing Six Nations campaign in the spring.

It is an entirely new front row from the Wales victory as Cian Healy and Tadhg Furlong join Best, while Kleyn has been given the nod ahead of Ulster's Iain Henderson to start beside James Ryan at lock.

Jack Conan retains his place at the base of the scrum while CJ Stander and Josh van der Flier come in for Tadhg Beirne and Peter O'Mahony at flanker.

'We have to perform'

Best says that his final appearance at the Aviva "isn't something I have given a lot of thought about" but admits the emotion may hit him after the game.

"I think for me it's about making sure we focus on our last game before we board the plane," said the 37-year-old.

"When it comes to the final whistle the realisation will set in but it's important for me and the team it doesn't affect our preparation.

"I'm sure It'll be a really big occasion when I look back on it, but as a team we have to perform and take a massive step forward."

'Squad announcement has put spring in our step'

While there has been much talk about the announcement of Schmidt's 31-man World Cup squad, Best feels that it has brought the team closer together,

"It's funny how it seems like there is so much more room," he added.

"You get an extra spring in your step and it's a great time to be around the squad.

"Before that, the sword is hanging over you head no matter where you are in the order.

"That creates drive and now we are in a 31 it's about us getting in our groups and sharing every little detail, and that's what makes a really good squad."

Defence coach Andy Farrell has called on Ireland to further raise the tempo and feels the players brought into the team have brought added energy to the squad.

"They've been held back for a week or two and are raring to go," said Farrell on the introduction of Sexton, Henshaw and Earls.

"It's important that we put in a cohesive performance and have the right mental attitude heading into the World Cup.

"It's about trying a few different combinations too. The squad is down to 31 players but there is still massive competition for places.

"It's our last game before we get on the plane on Wednesday and we're after a performance that we're proud of."

Ireland: Kearney; Larmour, Henshaw, Aki, Earls; Sexton, Murray; Healy, Best (capt), Furlong, Ryan, Kleyn, Stander, van der Flier, Conan.

Replacements: Cronin, Kilcoyne, Porter, Henderson, Ruddock, McGrath, Carty, Ringrose

Local hero Mark Wilson hopes England can thrill the fans like Kevin Keegan's Newcastle United when they face Italy at St James' Park on Friday.

It is the first time England have played a Test match in the north-east, and the first they have hosted outside Twickenham in a decade.

Originally from Cumbria, Wilson is an "honorary Geordie" having played more than 200 times for Newcastle Falcons.

"North-east fans want to be entertained," Wilson told BBC Sport.

"That's the big thing for them. [You think] back in the nineties when Newcastle football were at their best - the fans just want to see entertainment.

"Hopefully we can entertain them on Friday night."

Wilson, 29, joined Newcastle's academy as a 14-year-old before making his Falcons debut in 2010.

Following their relegation last season, he will go on loan to Sale after the Rugby World Cup, before returning to the Falcons in time for the 2020-2021 campaign.

He says English rugby must continue to support the game in the north of the country, and feels the clash with the Azzurri could inspire the next generation.

"It's important we still get behind rugby in the north," he added.

"It's crazy to think [there is a Test in Newcastle] - when I was a kid the only way to watch England was down at Twickenham.

"So for a lot of those north-east fans they are all going to be pretty excited about watching England on their doorstep.

"St James' Park is a class place to play, and the atmosphere is great. Hopefully people will come out in their numbers and fill it."