Doris Makes Irish Team But McCarthy Misses Out

Newly reappointed manager Andy Farrell has selected captain Caelan Doris in his Ireland team for the fall internationals, however lock McCarthy is absent.

The captain, absent from play since undergoing a shoulder operation in the start of May, has come back to Leinster training, but it remains unclear if he will be fit to play against New Zealand in Chicago on November 1.

Lock Joe McCarthy, however, was not considered after not recovering from the foot injury suffered during the first British and Irish Lions Test against the Wallabies in July.

Northern province forward Izuchukwu and Munster wing Calvin Nash are also absent because of injury, while number 15 Hugo Keenan was previously excluded after undergoing a hip operation following the summer tour.

Dublin province prop Paddy McCarthy - the brother of Joe - is the sole uncapped player in the 34-player squad, but the Irish Rugby Football Union states new provincial pair Edwin Edogbo and Gleeson and once-capped western province wing Shayne Bolton will travel to the US as "backup".

After facing the All Blacks at the Chicago stadium in a rematch of their previous encounter, Ireland host Japan, the Wallabies and world title holders the Springboks in Dublin.

"It's an exciting group to the panel and there's an opportunity for the more experienced members and for those who made their debuts on the summer tour to Georgia and the Lobos," said Farrell, back to national team duties after a break to lead the British and Irish Lions to the southern hemisphere.

In a mostly experienced squad, Leinster's Sam Prendergast and the southern club's Crowley will again vie for the starting fly-half spot. The fly-half role is still available, as Prendergast and Crowley poised to face off for the first occasion in the upcoming URC match at the Dublin venue.

Ciaran Frawley is the third fly-half selected with Farrell deciding not to selecting the province's Byrne.

At scrum-half, Farrell has selected British and Irish Lion Jamison Gibson-Park and Casey, who led the national side to the summer international wins over Georgia and Portugal. There is also a return for the western province's Blade, chosen to club-mate Ben Murphy.

Henshaw, Aki, Ringrose and Stuart McCloskey represent an veteran group of midfield options. Jamie Osborne is another option in the midfield, though the youngster is also 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 national team debut over the summer with a brace each in the victories over the Lelos and the Lobos.

McCarthy is the sole new name in the Ireland forwards. The front rower has been in two of his province's URC United Rugby Championship games this season and featured in Ireland A's defeat by England in Bristol previously.

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

Southern province lock Thomas Ahern, who earned his first two caps in those Tests, is kept in the squad, and veteran Ulster lock Iain Henderson returns after missing the summer tour.

Jack Conan, who played in all three Lions Tests over the summer, is set to cover for the captain if the skipper fails to recover full fitness in time to play the All Blacks.

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

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

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

Kick-off times

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