Caelan Doris Makes Irish Team But McCarthy Misses Out

Newly reappointed manager the Ireland coach has selected captain Doris in his Irish squad for the fall Tests, however lock McCarthy is absent.

Doris, who has not played since having a shoulder operation in early May, has come back 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 Joe McCarthy, however, did not make the cut after not recovering from the foot issue suffered during the first Lions Test against Australia in July.

Ulster player Cormac Izuchukwu and Munster wing Calvin Nash also miss out due to fitness concerns, and full-back Keenan was previously excluded after undergoing a hip operation following the summer tour.

Dublin province prop Paddy McCarthy - Joe's younger brother - is the sole new member in the 34-man group, however Irish rugby authorities states new Munster pair Edogbo and Brian Gleeson and once-capped western province winger Shayne Bolton will head to Chicago as "cover".

After playing the All Blacks at Soldier Field in a rematch of their previous 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 there's an opportunity for the more experienced players and for the newcomers on the recent tour to the Lelos and Portugal," commented the coach, who returns to national team duties after taking a sabbatical to coach the British and Irish Lions to the southern hemisphere.

In a largely experienced selection, the Dublin club's Prendergast and Munster's Jack Crowley will once again vie for the first-choice fly-half spot. The number 10 jersey is remains available, with Prendergast and Crowley set to play against each other for the first occasion in Saturday's URC game at Croke Park.

Frawley is the additional fly-half selected as Farrell opting against selecting Leinster's Byrne.

At number 9, Farrell has picked Lions tourist Gibson-Park and Craig Casey, who captained the national side to the summer international wins over the Lelos and the Lobos. Additionally, there is a return for Connacht's Blade, who is preferred to teammate Ben Murphy.

Henshaw, Aki, Ringrose and Stuart McCloskey represent an veteran group of centre choices. Osborne is another option in the midfield, but the youngster is also a leading candidate to deputise for Keenan at full-back.

Outside backs James Lowe, Hansen, Tommy O'Brien and Jacob Stockdale are included. The winger shone on his national team debut over the summer with a brace each in the victories over the Lelos and Portugal.

Paddy McCarthy is the only new addition in the Ireland pack. The front rower has started two of Leinster's URC United Rugby Championship matches so far and played in the second string's defeat by England in the English city earlier this year.

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

Munster lock Ahern, who received his debut appearances in those Tests, is kept in the squad, while experienced Ulster second row Henderson returns after missing the summer tour.

Conan, who played in each of the Lions matches over the summer, is poised to cover for the captain should the captain does not regain fitness soon enough to face New Zealand.

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

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

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

Kick-off times

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