Doris Included in Ireland Team But McCarthy Misses Out

Newly reappointed manager the Ireland coach has included skipper Caelan Doris in his Ireland team for the fall Tests, however Joe McCarthy is absent.

Doris, absent from play since undergoing a shoulder operation in the start of May, recently returned to provincial training, but it remains unclear if he will be fit to face the All Blacks in Chicago on 1 November.

Lock Joe McCarthy, however, was not considered after not recovering from the foot injury suffered during the opening British and Irish Lions match against Australia in July.

Northern province forward Izuchukwu and southern province winger Nash also miss out due to injury, and number 15 Hugo Keenan had already been ruled out after undergoing a hip operation following the summer tour.

Leinster prop McCarthy - the brother of Joe - is the sole new member in the 34-man group, but the Irish Rugby Football Union says new Munster duo Edogbo and Brian Gleeson and previously capped Connacht winger Bolton will head to the US as "reserves".

Following playing the New Zealand at the Chicago stadium in a rematch of their 2016 encounter, Ireland host the Brave Blossoms, the Wallabies and world title holders South Africa in the Irish capital.

"There's an exciting look to the squad and it's a chance for the veteran players and for the newcomers on the summer tour to the Lelos and the Lobos," commented Farrell, back to Ireland duty after a break to lead the British and Irish Lions to Australia.

In a largely familiar-looking squad, the Dublin club's Sam Prendergast and Munster's Crowley will again compete for the starting number 10 spot. The number 10 jersey is remains up for grabs, with Prendergast and Crowley set to face off for the first time in the upcoming United Rugby Championship game at the Dublin venue.

Frawley is the third fly-half chosen with the coach opting against selecting Leinster's Harry Byrne.

At scrum-half, the Ireland boss has picked Lions tourist Gibson-Park and Craig Casey, who captained the national side to the summer Test victories over Georgia and the Lobos. Additionally, there is a return for the western province's Blade, who is preferred to club-mate Ben Murphy.

Henshaw, Bundee Aki, Garry Ringrose and Stuart McCloskey form an veteran group of midfield options. Jamie Osborne is a further choice in the centres, but the youngster is additionally a frontrunner to cover for the full-back at full-back.

Outside backs James Lowe, Mack Hansen, Tommy O'Brien and Jacob Stockdale are named. O'Brien shone on his national team debut during the summer with a brace each in the victories over Georgia and Portugal.

Paddy McCarthy is the only fresh addition in the Ireland forwards. The loose-head prop has started two of Leinster's URC United Rugby Championship games so far and played in the second string's defeat by the English in Bristol earlier this year.

McCarthy was selected in caretaker coach Paul O'Connell's summer selection, but did not earn a international appearance.

Southern province lock Thomas Ahern, who earned his debut appearances in those matches, is retained, while experienced Northern province lock Henderson is back after missing the summer matches.

Conan, who played in all three Lions Tests during the tour, is set to deputise for the captain if the skipper fails to recover fitness soon enough to play the All Blacks.

The national team will meet in Dublin on the start of the week before traveling to Chicago on Tuesday.

Forwards (19): Thomas Ahern (Munster), Baird (Leinster), Finlay Bealham (Connacht), Beirne (Munster), Boyle (Leinster), Clarkson (Leinster), Conan (Province), Caelan Doris (Leinster, captain), Furlong (Leinster), Henderson (Province), Kelleher (Leinster), Gus McCarthy (Province), Paddy McCarthy (Province), Porter (Province), C Prendergast (Connacht), James Ryan (Province), Sheehan (Leinster), Nick Timoney (Ulster), Josh van der Flier (Leinster).

Backs (15): Aki (Connacht), Blade (Connacht), Craig Casey (Province), Jack Crowley (Munster), Ciaran Frawley (Province), Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster), Hansen (Province), Henshaw (Province), Lowe (Province), McCloskey (Ulster), O'Brien (Leinster), Jamie Osborne (Province), Sam Prendergast (Leinster), Ringrose (Leinster), Stockdale (Ulster).

Times BST

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