"I'M talking as though I am a really old bloke! I only just turned 30!" Ryan Wilson was clearly having none of this old-codger talk as the discussion about the Scotland training took a distinctly ageist turn.

"Us old boys, we bring all the energy," he insisted before admitting: "They probably make us a bit more energetic because we know we have to look sharper than them."

After all, the older players in the squad all know it is only a matter of time before the younger generation take over, the only thing they can do is stave off that moment as long as possible – definitely doing everything they can to push it back beyond the Rugby World Cup.

There are advantages too. Not just the drive to be forced to keep up with rivals who have nowhere near as many miles on the clock, but at least they now come armed with a ready cheat sheet when it comes to youth culture.

"They all bring something different, they’re good guys to have around. They keep us up to date with things. Me and Barcs [John Barclay] are trying to stick in there with Love Island – they keep us updated on all that stuff," he said before adding his two-penny worth on the final result.

He had long since gone way beyond the knowledge and understanding of the journalists he was talking too – some of whom have pretty much forgotten what it was like to be only 30 – and it was time to abandon the youth chat and revert to rugby matters and preparations for the Rugby World Cup.

Wilson is one of the 15 in the squad with previous World Cup experience, part of the team in the last tournament though he missed out on the quarter final.

"We haven’t really talked about it at all, but I guess some of the guys will have it in the back of their minds," he reflected ahead of this year's tournament.

"It gives us confidence because there is a good chance we should have been in that semi-final. We know that we did that four years ago and can go a step further this year with the squad we have got."

Like all the rest, though, he knows he cannot afford to count any chickens. The back row competition to get on the plane is intense, and then they can't really afford to look further ahead than the opening fixture against pool top seeds Ireland, a fixture that these days comes with a bit of extra needle.

"There's no love lost, and I quite enjoy it," he said. "It is more the Munster boys. There is [an edge there], but you could say the same against England couldn’t you?

"There is a good edge there with Ireland, but that is what makes these games exciting. They are always physical games against Ireland. That first encounter is going to be a really physical and tough one out in Japan. It is who comes off better after that.

"It is the first game of the World Cup, so I think it is even par. Ireland did well in the Six Nations and we didn’t, so some people might say the pressure is on Ireland but it is a different tournament and we will see where we are after France and Georgia [warm-up matches] I suppose.

"Every game is dangerous, and with the last couple [Russia on October 9 and Japan on October 13], we have a short turn around as well. These are all going to be difficult games to get ready for.

"If you look at what Japan did against South Africa four years ago, it’s going to be brilliant. You just have to be ready for anything."

However much they focus on Ireland, they do know that with Samoa showing their staying power in beating Tonga 27-15 in a mud bath last weekend and Japan even more impressive in beating Fiji 34-21 in Kamaishi, that opening game is far from a shoot-out for top spot, there are plenty of threats to follow for both sides.

"But you can’t take anything for granted, though I don’t think anyone will," Wilson added. The youngsters may know all about Love Island and other cult TV shows but Wilson's generation know all about World Cups and that is probably more important.