Caelan Doris Makes Irish Squad But Joe McCarthy Left Out

Newly reappointed manager Andy Farrell has included captain Doris in his Irish squad for the autumn internationals, however lock McCarthy misses out.

The captain, who has not played since undergoing a shoulder operation in the start of May, recently returned to provincial training, but it remains unclear if he will be ready to face New Zealand in Chicago on 1 November.

Lock Joe McCarthy, however, did not make the cut after not recovering from the foot issue suffered during the first Lions match against the Wallabies in July.

Northern province forward Izuchukwu and southern province winger Calvin Nash are also absent because of fitness concerns, while number 15 Hugo Keenan was previously excluded after having a hip operation after the summer tour.

Dublin province prop McCarthy - Joe's younger brother - is the sole new member in the 34-player squad, but Irish rugby authorities states new Munster pair Edogbo and Brian Gleeson and once-capped Connacht winger Shayne Bolton will head to Chicago as "reserves".

Following facing the New Zealand at the Chicago stadium in a repeat of their 2016 meeting, the team will play Japan, the Wallabies and world champions South Africa in the Irish capital.

"There's an exciting look to the panel and there's an opportunity for the veteran members and for the newcomers on the recent tour to the Lelos and the Lobos," commented Farrell, who returns to national team duties after taking a sabbatical to lead the Lions tour to Australia.

In a mostly experienced squad, the Dublin club's Prendergast and the southern club's Jack Crowley will once again compete for the first-choice fly-half spot. The fly-half role is still available, as the two players set to face off for the first occasion in the upcoming United Rugby Championship match at Croke Park.

Ciaran Frawley is the additional fly-half selected with the coach deciding not to calling up the province's Byrne.

At number 9, the Ireland boss has selected British and Irish Lion Gibson-Park and Craig Casey, who captained Ireland to the summer international victories over Georgia and the Lobos. There is also a return for the western province's Caolin Blade, chosen to club-mate Ben Murphy.

Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, Ringrose and Stuart McCloskey form an experienced group of centre options. Osborne is another option in the centres, but the 23-year-old is additionally a leading candidate to cover for Keenan at full-back.

Wingers Lowe, Hansen, O'Brien and Stockdale are named. O'Brien impressed on his first Ireland outings during the summer with two tries apiece in the wins over Georgia and Portugal.

McCarthy is the only fresh name in the Irish forwards. The front rower has started two of Leinster's URC league games this season and played in the second string's defeat by the English in Bristol earlier this year.

The 22-year-old was included in interim boss Paul O'Connell's summer selection, but did not receive a cap.

Munster lock Thomas Ahern, who received his debut appearances in those matches, is retained, while veteran Ulster second row Henderson is back after missing the summer matches.

Conan, who played in all three Lions Tests over the summer, is set to deputise for Doris should the captain fails to recover full fitness in time to face the All Blacks.

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

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

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

Times BST

• Ireland v New Zealand, November 1, Soldier Field (20:10)
• Ireland v the Brave Blossoms, 8 November, Dublin (12:40)
• The team v the Wallabies, 15 November, Aviva Stadium (20:10)
• The Irish v South Africa, November 22, Aviva Stadium (17:40)