Caelan Doris Secures Spot in Irish Squad But McCarthy Omitted

Returning manager Andy Farrell has named skipper Caelan Doris in his Irish squad for the autumn internationals, however lock McCarthy is absent.

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

Second row 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 forward Cormac Izuchukwu and Munster wing Calvin Nash are not included due to injury, while full-back Hugo Keenan had already been ruled out after undergoing a hip operation following the Lions tour.

Dublin province forward Paddy McCarthy - the brother of Joe - is the sole new player in the 34-player group, but Irish rugby authorities states uncapped Munster duo Edogbo and Brian Gleeson and previously capped western province wing Shayne Bolton will head to Chicago as "reserves".

Following playing the New Zealand at Soldier Field in a repeat of their 2016 meeting, Ireland host Japan, Australia and world champions the Springboks in the Irish capital.

"There's an exciting look to the squad and it's a chance for the more experienced members and for the newcomers on the summer tour to Georgia and Portugal," commented Farrell, back to national team duties after a break to lead the Lions tour to the southern hemisphere.

In a largely experienced squad, Leinster's Prendergast and the southern club's Crowley will once again vie for the starting fly-half position. The fly-half role is still up for grabs, with the two players poised to play against each other for the first time in Saturday's URC match at Croke Park.

Frawley is the additional number 10 selected with Farrell opting against calling up Leinster's Harry Byrne.

At scrum-half, Farrell has selected British and Irish Lion Jamison Gibson-Park and Craig Casey, who led the national side to the summer international wins over the Lelos and the Lobos. Additionally, there is a return for Connacht's Caolin Blade, who is preferred to club-mate Murphy.

Henshaw, Bundee Aki, Ringrose and McCloskey represent an experienced cohort of midfield options. Osborne is another option in the midfield, but the youngster is additionally a leading candidate to cover for the full-back at number 15.

Outside backs James Lowe, Mack Hansen, Tommy O'Brien and Jacob Stockdale are named. The winger impressed on his national team debut over the summer with two tries apiece in the victories over the Lelos and the Lobos.

Paddy McCarthy is the sole fresh name in the Ireland forwards. The loose-head prop has started a couple of Leinster's three league games this season and played in Ireland A's loss by England in Bristol earlier this year.

The 22-year-old was included in interim boss O'Connell's summer squad, but did not receive a international appearance.

Munster lock Thomas Ahern, who earned his first two caps in those Tests, is kept in the squad, while experienced Northern province lock Iain Henderson returns after sitting out the summer tour.

Conan, who started each of the Lions matches during the tour, is set to cover for the captain if the skipper fails to recover full fitness in time to face the All Blacks.

The Ireland squad will assemble in Dublin on Monday before traveling to Chicago on the following day.

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

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

Kick-off times

• The national team v New Zealand, 1 November, Chicago (20:10)
• Ireland v the Brave Blossoms, 8 November, Aviva Stadium (12:40)
• The team v Australia, November 15, Dublin (20:10)
• Ireland v the Springboks, 22 November, Dublin (17:40)