Doris Makes Irish Squad But Joe McCarthy Misses Out

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

Doris, who has not played since undergoing shoulder surgery in the start of May, has come back to provincial training, but it remains unclear whether he will be ready to face New Zealand in the US on 1 November.

Lock Joe McCarthy, however, was not considered after failing to recover from the foot issue suffered during the first British and Irish Lions match against the Wallabies in July.

Ulster player Izuchukwu and southern province wing Nash are also absent because of injury, while full-back Hugo Keenan had already been ruled out after undergoing hip surgery following the summer tour.

Leinster forward Paddy McCarthy - Joe's younger brother - is the sole uncapped player in the 34-player squad, but Irish rugby authorities states uncapped provincial duo Edwin Edogbo and Brian Gleeson and previously capped western province winger Shayne Bolton will travel to Chicago as "cover".

Following facing the All Blacks at Soldier Field in a repeat of their previous meeting, the team will play Japan, the Wallabies and world champions South Africa in the Irish capital.

"There's an exciting look to the squad and it's a chance for the veteran members and for the newcomers on the summer tour to the Lelos and the Lobos," commented the coach, who returns to Ireland duty after taking a sabbatical to lead the Lions tour to the southern hemisphere.

In a largely experienced squad, the Dublin club's Sam Prendergast and Munster's Jack Crowley will again vie for the starting fly-half spot. The number 10 jersey is remains up for grabs, as the two players poised to face off for the first time in Saturday's URC game at Croke Park.

Frawley is the additional number 10 selected as Farrell deciding not to selecting the province's Byrne.

At scrum-half, Farrell has selected British and Irish Lion Jamison Gibson-Park and Casey, who captained the national side to the summer Test wins over the Lelos and the Lobos. There is also a return for the western province's Caolin Blade, chosen to teammate Murphy.

Henshaw, Aki, Ringrose and Stuart McCloskey form an experienced cohort of midfield choices. Jamie Osborne is another option in the midfield, but the youngster is also a leading candidate to deputise for the full-back at number 15.

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 two tries apiece in the wins over Georgia and Portugal.

Paddy McCarthy is the sole fresh addition in the Irish forwards. The front rower has started two of his province's URC United Rugby Championship games this season and played in the second string's loss by the English in the English city earlier this year.

The 22-year-old was selected in caretaker coach O'Connell's summer squad, yet did not receive a cap.

Munster lock Ahern, who earned his first two caps in those Tests, is kept in the squad, and experienced Northern province lock Henderson is back after sitting out the summer matches.

Conan, who started all three Lions Tests during the tour, is poised to deputise for the captain should the captain does not regain full fitness soon enough to face New Zealand.

The national team will assemble in Dublin on Monday before flying to the US on the following day.

Pack (19): Ahern (Munster), Baird (Leinster), Finlay Bealham (Province), Tadhg Beirne (Province), Jack Boyle (Province), Thomas Clarkson (Leinster), Conan (Province), Caelan Doris (Province, capt), Tadhg Furlong (Leinster), Iain Henderson (Province), Ronan Kelleher (Province), Gus McCarthy (Leinster), P McCarthy (Leinster), Porter (Leinster), Cian Prendergast (Province), Ryan (Province), Sheehan (Leinster), Nick Timoney (Province), Josh van der Flier (Leinster).

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

Times BST

• Ireland v the All Blacks, 1 November, Chicago (20:10)
• The side v the Brave Blossoms, November 8, Aviva Stadium (12:40)
• The team v the Wallabies, November 15, Aviva Stadium (20:10)
• Ireland v the Springboks, 22 November, Aviva Stadium (17:40)