Caelan Doris Included in Irish Selection But Joe McCarthy Misses Out

Newly reappointed head coach Andy Farrell has selected skipper Caelan Doris in his Ireland roster for the fall internationals, but Joe McCarthy has been excluded.

The captain, absent from play since having a shoulder operation in the start of May, recently returned to Leinster training, though his fitness is uncertain if he will be ready to play against New Zealand in Chicago on 1 November.

Lock McCarthy, on the other hand, did not make the cut after failing to recover from the foot injury suffered during the first Lions match against the Wallabies in July.

Ulster forward Cormac Izuchukwu and Munster winger Nash also miss out due to fitness concerns, while number 15 Keenan had already been ruled out after undergoing hip surgery after the summer tour.

Dublin province forward McCarthy - the brother of Joe - is the sole new member in the 34-player group, however the Irish Rugby Football Union states uncapped Munster pair Edogbo and Brian Gleeson and previously capped western province wing Shayne Bolton will head to Chicago as "cover".

After playing the All Blacks at Soldier Field in a repeat of their previous meeting, Ireland will play the Brave Blossoms, Australia and world title holders South Africa in Dublin.

"It's an exciting group to the panel and it's a chance for the more experienced players and for those who made their debuts on the recent tour to Georgia and Portugal," commented the coach, who returns to national team duties after taking a sabbatical to coach the British and Irish Lions to Australia.

In a mostly familiar-looking squad, the Dublin club's Sam Prendergast and the southern club's Jack Crowley will once again compete for the first-choice fly-half spot. The fly-half role is remains up for grabs, as Prendergast and Crowley poised to face off for the first occasion in Saturday's URC match at Croke Park.

Ciaran Frawley is the third number 10 selected with Farrell deciding not to calling up Leinster's Byrne.

At number 9, the Ireland boss has selected British and Irish Lion Gibson-Park and Casey, who led Ireland to the summer Test victories over Georgia and Portugal. Additionally, there is a return for Connacht's Caolin Blade, who is preferred to teammate Murphy.

Henshaw, Aki, Ringrose and Stuart McCloskey represent an veteran cohort of centre choices. Osborne is a further choice in the centres, though the youngster is additionally a frontrunner to cover for the full-back at number 15.

Wingers James Lowe, Hansen, Tommy O'Brien and Jacob Stockdale are named. O'Brien shone on his first Ireland outings over the summer with a brace each in the wins over the Lelos and the Lobos.

Paddy McCarthy is the sole new name in the Ireland pack. The loose-head prop has started two of Leinster's URC league games this season and featured in Ireland A's defeat by the English in the English city previously.

McCarthy was included in interim boss O'Connell's summer squad, but did not earn a international appearance.

Southern province second row Ahern, who received his debut appearances in those matches, is kept in the squad, while experienced Ulster second row Henderson returns after sitting out the summer matches.

Conan, who started all three Lions matches during the tour, is poised to deputise for the captain should the captain fails to recover fitness in time to face New Zealand.

The national team will meet in the capital on Monday before traveling to Chicago on the following day.

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

Backs (15): Aki (Province), Blade (Connacht), Craig Casey (Province), Crowley (Province), Frawley (Leinster), Gibson-Park (Leinster), Hansen (Province), Robbie Henshaw (Leinster), James Lowe (Leinster), McCloskey (Province), Tommy O'Brien (Leinster), Jamie Osborne (Province), S Prendergast (Leinster), Ringrose (Province), Stockdale (Province).

Kick-off times

• Ireland v the All Blacks, 1 November, Soldier Field (20:10)
• The side v the Brave Blossoms, November 8, Dublin (12:40)
• Ireland v the Wallabies, November 15, Dublin (20:10)
• Ireland v South Africa, November 22, Aviva Stadium (17:40)