Doris Secures Spot in Irish Squad But McCarthy Misses Out

Newly reappointed manager the Ireland coach has included skipper Caelan Doris in his Irish squad for the autumn internationals, but lock McCarthy is absent.

The captain, who has not played since undergoing a shoulder operation in early May, recently returned to Leinster training, with doubts lingering if he will be ready to face New Zealand in the US on 1 November.

Lock McCarthy, on the other hand, was not considered after failing to recover from the foot issue he sustained during the opening Lions match against the Wallabies in July.

Northern province player Cormac Izuchukwu and Munster winger Calvin Nash are also absent because of fitness concerns, and full-back Keenan had already been ruled out after undergoing hip surgery following the summer tour.

Leinster 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 duo Edogbo and Brian Gleeson and once-capped western province winger Bolton will head to Chicago as "backup".

After playing the New Zealand at Soldier Field in a repeat of their 2016 meeting, the team host the Brave Blossoms, Australia and world title holders South Africa in Dublin.

"There's an exciting look to the squad and there's an opportunity for the veteran players and for those who made their debuts on the summer tour to Georgia and the Lobos," commented Farrell, who returns to national team duties after taking a sabbatical to lead the British and Irish Lions to Australia.

In a mostly familiar-looking squad, Leinster's Sam Prendergast and Munster's Jack Crowley will again compete for the starting number 10 position. The number 10 jersey is still available, with Prendergast and Crowley poised to face off for the first occasion in Saturday's United Rugby Championship game at the Dublin venue.

Ciaran Frawley is the additional number 10 chosen as Farrell deciding not to selecting Leinster's Harry Byrne.

At number 9, Farrell has selected Lions tourist Jamison Gibson-Park and Craig Casey, who captained Ireland to the summer international wins over the Lelos and Portugal. Additionally, there is a recall for Connacht's Blade, who is preferred to club-mate Ben Murphy.

Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, Garry Ringrose and McCloskey represent an veteran cohort of centre choices. Osborne is a further choice in the centres, but the 23-year-old is also a leading candidate to deputise for the full-back at number 15.

Outside backs James Lowe, Mack Hansen, O'Brien and Stockdale are included. O'Brien impressed on his first Ireland outings over the summer with a brace each in the wins over Georgia and the Lobos.

Paddy McCarthy is the sole new addition in the Irish pack. The front rower has started two of his province's URC United Rugby Championship matches this season and played in the second string's defeat by the English in Bristol previously.

The 22-year-old was selected in interim boss O'Connell's summer selection, yet did not receive a international appearance.

Southern province second row Thomas Ahern, who earned his first two caps in those Tests, is retained, and experienced Ulster lock Iain Henderson is back after sitting out the summer matches.

Jack Conan, who started each of the Lions Tests during the tour, is poised to cover for the captain if the skipper fails to recover fitness in time to play the All Blacks.

The Ireland squad will assemble in Dublin on Monday before flying to the US on Tuesday.

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

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

Kick-off times

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