Caelan Doris Included in Irish Squad But Joe McCarthy Misses Out

Newly reappointed head coach the Ireland coach has included captain Doris in his Ireland team for the autumn matches, but Joe McCarthy is absent.

The captain, absent from play since having a shoulder operation in early May, recently returned to Leinster training, but it remains unclear if he will be fit to face New Zealand in Chicago on 1 November.

Second row Joe McCarthy, on the other hand, was not considered after failing to recover from the foot issue he sustained during the opening British and Irish Lions Test against the Wallabies in the summer.

Ulster forward Izuchukwu and Munster wing Calvin Nash also miss out because of fitness concerns, and number 15 Keenan was previously excluded after undergoing hip surgery following the summer tour.

Dublin province prop McCarthy - Joe's younger brother - is the only uncapped member in the 34-player group, but the Irish Rugby Football Union states uncapped provincial pair Edogbo and Gleeson and once-capped Connacht winger Bolton will travel to the US as "reserves".

Following playing the All Blacks at Soldier Field in a repeat of their 2016 encounter, Ireland will play Japan, the Wallabies and world champions South Africa in the Irish capital.

"It's an exciting group 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 national team duties after taking a sabbatical to coach the Lions tour to the southern hemisphere.

In a mostly experienced squad, the Dublin club's Prendergast and Munster's Jack Crowley will again compete for the starting number 10 spot. The number 10 jersey is remains up for grabs, with the two players set to play against each other for the first time in the upcoming URC game at the Dublin venue.

Ciaran Frawley is the additional fly-half selected as the coach opting against calling up the province's Byrne.

At scrum-half, Farrell has selected Lions tourist Jamison Gibson-Park and Craig Casey, who led Ireland to the summer international wins over Georgia and Portugal. Additionally, there is a recall for Connacht's Blade, chosen to club-mate Murphy.

Henshaw, Bundee Aki, Ringrose and McCloskey represent an experienced cohort of midfield choices. Osborne is a further choice in the midfield, though the youngster is also a leading candidate to cover for the full-back at number 15.

Outside backs James Lowe, Hansen, Tommy O'Brien and Jacob Stockdale are included. O'Brien shone on his national team debut during the summer with a brace each in the wins over Georgia and the Lobos.

Paddy McCarthy is the sole fresh name in the Irish forwards. The front rower has started two of Leinster's three United Rugby Championship games this season and featured in the second string's loss by the English in the English city earlier this year.

The 22-year-old was included in caretaker coach Paul O'Connell's summer squad, but did not earn a international appearance.

Munster lock Ahern, who received his first two caps in those matches, is kept in the squad, and experienced Ulster lock Iain Henderson is back after missing the summer tour.

Conan, who started each of the Lions matches over the summer, is poised to deputise for Doris if the skipper does not regain fitness in time to play the All Blacks.

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

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

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

Times BST

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