Caelan Doris Makes Irish Team But McCarthy Left Out

Newly reappointed manager Andy Farrell has named skipper Caelan Doris in his Ireland squad for the fall matches, but lock McCarthy has been excluded.

Doris, absent from play since having shoulder surgery in early May, recently returned to Leinster training, but it remains unclear whether he will be ready to play against the All Blacks in the US on 1 November.

Second row Joe McCarthy, however, was not considered after not recovering from the foot injury he sustained during the first Lions match against Australia in the summer.

Ulster player Izuchukwu and southern province winger Calvin Nash are also absent because of fitness concerns, while full-back Hugo Keenan had already been ruled out after having a hip operation after the summer tour.

Leinster prop Paddy McCarthy - the brother of Joe - is the sole new member in the 34-player squad, however the Irish Rugby Football Union says uncapped provincial duo Edwin Edogbo and Gleeson and previously capped Connacht winger Bolton will head to Chicago as "cover".

After playing the New Zealand at the Chicago stadium in a repeat of their 2016 meeting, Ireland will play the Brave Blossoms, the Wallabies and world title holders South Africa in Dublin.

"It's an exciting group to the panel and there's an opportunity for the veteran members and for those who made their debuts on the summer tour to Georgia and Portugal," commented Farrell, who returns to Ireland duty after a break to coach the British and Irish Lions to Australia.

In a largely experienced selection, Leinster's Prendergast and Munster's Crowley will again vie for the first-choice fly-half spot. The number 10 jersey is still available, as the two players poised to play against each other for the first time in Saturday's URC match at Croke Park.

Ciaran Frawley is the third number 10 chosen as the coach opting against calling up the province's Harry Byrne.

At scrum-half, Farrell has selected British and Irish Lion Jamison Gibson-Park and Casey, who captained Ireland to the summer international victories over the Lelos and Portugal. Additionally, there is a recall for Connacht's Blade, chosen to teammate Ben Murphy.

Robbie Henshaw, Aki, Ringrose and Stuart McCloskey represent an experienced cohort of midfield options. Jamie Osborne is a further choice in the centres, though the 23-year-old is additionally a leading candidate to deputise for the full-back at number 15.

Outside backs James Lowe, Hansen, Tommy O'Brien and Stockdale are included. O'Brien shone on his first Ireland outings over the summer with a brace each in the wins over the Lelos and the Lobos.

McCarthy is the sole fresh addition in the Irish forwards. The loose-head prop has started a couple of his province's URC United Rugby Championship matches this season and played in Ireland A's defeat by England in Bristol earlier this year.

McCarthy was selected in caretaker coach Paul O'Connell's summer squad, but did not receive a cap.

Southern province second row Ahern, who earned his debut appearances in those matches, is kept in the squad, while experienced Northern province second row Henderson is back after sitting out the summer matches.

Jack Conan, who started all three Lions Tests over the summer, is set to cover for Doris should the captain fails to recover full fitness soon enough to play the All Blacks.

The Ireland squad will meet in the capital on Monday before flying to the US on Tuesday.

Forwards (19): Thomas Ahern (Munster), Baird (Leinster), Finlay Bealham (Connacht), Tadhg Beirne (Province), Jack Boyle (Province), Clarkson (Province), Conan (Leinster), Doris (Leinster, captain), Furlong (Leinster), Iain Henderson (Ulster), Ronan Kelleher (Leinster), Gus McCarthy (Leinster), P McCarthy (Leinster), Andrew Porter (Leinster), C Prendergast (Connacht), Ryan (Leinster), Sheehan (Leinster), Timoney (Province), Josh van der Flier (Leinster).

Backs (15): Aki (Province), Caolin Blade (Connacht), Craig Casey (Province), Jack Crowley (Munster), Frawley (Province), Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster), Mack Hansen (Connacht), Robbie Henshaw (Province), Lowe (Province), Stuart McCloskey (Ulster), Tommy O'Brien (Province), Osborne (Province), Sam Prendergast (Province), Garry Ringrose (Province), Jacob Stockdale (Province).

Times BST

• The national team v the All Blacks, 1 November, Chicago (20:10)
• The side v Japan, 8 November, Dublin (12:40)
• Ireland v the Wallabies, 15 November, Aviva Stadium (20:10)
• The Irish v South Africa, November 22, Aviva Stadium (17:40)