They returned to their provinces as their Irish colleagues left for warm weather training in Portugal.

Cooney's omission will be a surprise to many, given his club form and place-kicking ability.

Meanwhile, Ireland have said fly-half Joey Carbery is expected to be out for four to six weeks with an ankle injury.

Munster player Carbery sustained the injury during last Saturday's 29-10 win over Italy.

If Carbery, understudy to first-choice Johnny Sexton, needs the full six weeks to recover, he would be ruled out of Ireland's first World Cup pool match against Scotland on 22 September.

Ireland's other Pool A matches are against hosts Japan, Russia and Samoa.

Hooker Rob Herring, who retired from the Italy game early due to a back spasm, has fully recovered, Irish management said on Wednesday.

Three recognised number nines remain in head coach Joe Schmidt's 40-strong squad - Conor Murray, Kieran Marmion and Luke McGrath - with the final 31-player panel to be announced by 8 September.

Ireland play England in their second warm-up game at Twickenham on 24 August before playing Wales away and home.