Doris Secures Spot in Irish Team But Joe McCarthy Misses Out

Returning manager the Ireland coach has selected skipper Caelan Doris in his Ireland roster for the fall internationals, but Joe McCarthy is absent.

Doris, who has not played since having a shoulder operation in early May, has come back to Leinster training, though his fitness is uncertain whether he will be ready to face New Zealand in the US on November 1.

Lock McCarthy, on the other hand, was not considered after not recovering from the foot issue suffered during the opening Lions match against Australia in the summer.

Northern province player Izuchukwu and southern province wing Calvin Nash also miss out because of injury, while number 15 Keenan had already been ruled out after having a hip operation following the summer tour.

Leinster prop Paddy McCarthy - Joe's younger brother - is the only uncapped member in the 34-man group, however the Irish Rugby Football Union states new provincial pair Edogbo and Brian Gleeson and previously capped western province wing Shayne Bolton will travel to Chicago as "reserves".

Following facing the New Zealand at Soldier Field in a rematch of their previous encounter, the team will play the Brave Blossoms, Australia and world title holders South Africa in Dublin.

"There's an exciting look to the squad and there's an opportunity for the more experienced players and for the newcomers on the summer tour to Georgia and the Lobos," commented the coach, back to Ireland duty after a break to coach the Lions tour to the southern hemisphere.

In a largely experienced squad, Leinster's Sam Prendergast and the southern club's Jack Crowley will once again compete for the starting fly-half spot. The fly-half role is remains up for grabs, with Prendergast and Crowley set to face off for the first time in Saturday's United Rugby Championship match at the Dublin venue.

Ciaran Frawley is the third fly-half chosen with Farrell opting against calling up Leinster's Byrne.

At scrum-half, the Ireland boss has picked Lions tourist Gibson-Park and Casey, who led the national side to the summer Test victories over Georgia and the Lobos. There is also a return for Connacht's Caolin Blade, chosen to club-mate Murphy.

Henshaw, Aki, Ringrose and McCloskey represent an experienced group of midfield choices. Jamie Osborne is a further choice in the midfield, though the youngster is additionally a leading candidate to deputise for the full-back at full-back.

Wingers Lowe, Mack Hansen, O'Brien and Jacob Stockdale are named. The winger impressed on his national team debut over the summer with a brace each in the victories over Georgia and the Lobos.

McCarthy is the only new name in the Irish pack. The loose-head prop has started two of his province's three United Rugby Championship games this season and played in the second string's defeat by England in Bristol earlier this year.

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

Munster lock Thomas Ahern, who received his first two caps in those matches, is retained, while experienced Northern province second row Henderson is back after sitting out the summer tour.

Conan, who started all three Lions Tests over the summer, is poised to deputise for Doris if the skipper fails to recover fitness in time to play New Zealand.

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

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

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

Kick-off times

• Ireland v New Zealand, November 1, Chicago (20:10)
• Ireland v Japan, November 8, Dublin (12:40)
• The team v the Wallabies, 15 November, Dublin (20:10)
• Ireland v South Africa, November 22, Dublin (17:40)