Caelan Doris Secures Spot in Irish Team But McCarthy Misses Out

Returning head coach Andy Farrell has included skipper Caelan Doris in his Ireland team for the autumn matches, however lock McCarthy misses out.

The captain, who has not played since undergoing shoulder surgery in the start of May, recently returned to provincial training, though his fitness is uncertain if he will be fit to face the All Blacks in the US on 1 November.

Lock Joe McCarthy, however, did not make the cut after not recovering from the foot injury he sustained during the opening British and Irish Lions Test against the Wallabies in July.

Northern province player Cormac Izuchukwu and Munster winger Calvin Nash are not included due to fitness concerns, and full-back Keenan had already been ruled out after undergoing hip surgery following the summer tour.

Dublin province prop Paddy McCarthy - Joe's younger brother - is the only new member in the 34-man squad, but the Irish Rugby Football Union states new provincial pair Edogbo and Brian Gleeson and once-capped Connacht wing Shayne Bolton will travel to the US as "reserves".

Following playing the New Zealand at Soldier Field in a rematch of their 2016 encounter, Ireland will play Japan, the Wallabies and world champions South Africa in Dublin.

"There's an exciting look to the panel and it's a chance for the veteran members and for those who made their debuts on the recent tour to Georgia and Portugal," said Farrell, who returns to Ireland duty 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 the southern club's 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 face off for the first time in the upcoming URC match at Croke Park.

Frawley is the additional number 10 selected with the coach opting against calling up the province's Byrne.

At number 9, the Ireland boss has picked Lions tourist Gibson-Park and Casey, who captained Ireland to the summer international victories over Georgia and the Lobos. Additionally, there is a return for Connacht's Caolin Blade, who is preferred to teammate Ben Murphy.

Robbie Henshaw, Aki, Garry Ringrose and McCloskey represent an veteran group of midfield options. Osborne is a further choice in the centres, but the 23-year-old is additionally a leading candidate to cover for Keenan at number 15.

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

Paddy McCarthy is the only fresh name in the Ireland pack. The front rower has started a couple of his province's URC United Rugby Championship matches so far and featured in Ireland A's loss by England in Bristol previously.

McCarthy was included in caretaker coach O'Connell's summer selection, yet did not earn a cap.

Munster second row Ahern, who earned his first two caps in those Tests, is kept in the squad, while experienced Northern province second row Iain Henderson is back after missing the summer tour.

Jack Conan, who started all three Lions Tests over the summer, is set to cover for the captain should the skipper does not regain full fitness soon enough to play the All Blacks.

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

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

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

Kick-off times

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