Caelan Doris Secures Spot in Irish Selection But Joe McCarthy Omitted

Returning manager Andy Farrell has included captain Caelan Doris in his Ireland roster for the fall internationals, however lock McCarthy has been excluded.

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

Second row Joe McCarthy, however, did not make the cut after failing to recover from the foot issue he sustained during the opening British and Irish Lions Test against the Wallabies in July.

Northern province forward Izuchukwu and southern province winger Calvin Nash also miss out because of injury, and full-back Hugo Keenan was previously excluded after having a hip operation following the Lions tour.

Dublin province prop Paddy McCarthy - Joe's younger brother - is the sole uncapped member in the 34-man squad, however the Irish Rugby Football Union states uncapped Munster pair Edwin Edogbo and Brian Gleeson and previously capped Connacht wing Shayne Bolton will travel to Chicago as "backup".

After facing the All Blacks at the Chicago stadium in a rematch of their 2016 meeting, Ireland host the Brave Blossoms, Australia and world title holders the Springboks in Dublin.

"It's an exciting group to the panel and there's an opportunity for the veteran members and for those who made their debuts on the recent tour to Georgia and Portugal," commented the coach, back to national team duties after a break to coach the British and Irish Lions to the southern hemisphere.

In a largely familiar-looking selection, Leinster's Prendergast and Munster's Jack Crowley will again compete for the first-choice number 10 position. The fly-half role is still up for grabs, as Prendergast and Crowley set to play against each other for the first time in Saturday's URC match at Croke Park.

Ciaran Frawley is the third number 10 selected as the coach opting against selecting the province's Byrne.

At scrum-half, the Ireland boss has selected British and Irish Lion Jamison Gibson-Park and Casey, who captained Ireland to the summer international wins over Georgia and the Lobos. Additionally, there is a return for the western province's Blade, chosen to teammate Ben Murphy.

Robbie Henshaw, Aki, Ringrose and McCloskey represent an veteran group of midfield choices. Jamie Osborne is a further choice in the midfield, though the youngster is also a frontrunner to deputise for the full-back at number 15.

Outside backs Lowe, Hansen, O'Brien and Stockdale are included. The winger shone on his first Ireland outings 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 started a couple of his province's three league matches this season and played in the second string's loss by the English in Bristol earlier this year.

The 22-year-old was included in caretaker coach O'Connell's summer selection, yet did not receive a cap.

Munster lock Thomas Ahern, who earned his debut appearances in those matches, is retained, while veteran Ulster lock Henderson is back after sitting out the summer tour.

Conan, who started each of the Lions matches over the summer, is set to deputise for Doris if the captain fails to recover fitness in time to play the All Blacks.

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

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

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

Kick-off times

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