Caelan Doris Secures Spot in Irish Squad But McCarthy Misses Out

Returning manager Andy Farrell has selected skipper Caelan Doris in his Ireland roster for the autumn Tests, but lock McCarthy is absent.

The captain, absent from play since having shoulder surgery in early May, recently returned to Leinster training, but it remains unclear if he will be fit to play against New Zealand in Chicago on November 1.

Second row McCarthy, on the other hand, did not make the cut after not recovering from the foot injury he sustained during the first Lions match against the Wallabies in the summer.

Northern province player Cormac Izuchukwu and Munster wing Nash are also absent due to injury, while number 15 Keenan had already been ruled out after having a hip operation following the Lions tour.

Leinster forward Paddy McCarthy - Joe's younger brother - is the sole new player in the 34-man group, but the Irish Rugby Football Union says uncapped Munster duo Edwin Edogbo and Gleeson and once-capped western province winger Bolton will travel to Chicago as "reserves".

After playing the All Blacks at Soldier Field in a rematch of their 2016 meeting, Ireland will play the Brave Blossoms, Australia and world title holders South Africa in the Irish capital.

"It's an exciting group to the squad and there's an opportunity for the more experienced members and for the newcomers on the summer tour to the Lelos and Portugal," commented Farrell, who returns to national team duties after a break to lead the Lions tour to the southern hemisphere.

In a largely experienced selection, Leinster'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 still available, as the two players poised to play against each other for the first time in Saturday's United Rugby Championship match at Croke Park.

Ciaran Frawley is the additional fly-half selected as Farrell deciding not to selecting Leinster's Byrne.

At scrum-half, the Ireland boss has picked British and Irish Lion Gibson-Park and Casey, who led the national side to the summer international victories over Georgia and Portugal. Additionally, there is a return for the western province's Caolin Blade, chosen to club-mate Ben Murphy.

Robbie Henshaw, Aki, Ringrose and Stuart McCloskey represent an experienced cohort of midfield choices. Jamie Osborne is another option in the centres, though the 23-year-old is also a leading candidate to cover for the full-back at full-back.

Wingers Lowe, Hansen, Tommy O'Brien and Jacob Stockdale are included. The winger impressed on his first Ireland outings over the summer with a brace each in the wins over the Lelos and Portugal.

Paddy McCarthy is the sole new name in the Irish forwards. The front rower has been in a couple of his province's three United Rugby Championship matches so far and featured in the second string's loss by the English in Bristol earlier this year.

McCarthy was selected in caretaker coach O'Connell's summer squad, but did not receive a cap.

Southern province lock Thomas Ahern, who earned his debut appearances in those matches, is retained, and experienced Northern province second row Iain Henderson returns after sitting out the summer matches.

Conan, who played in all three Lions Tests during the tour, is set to cover for the captain if the captain does not regain fitness in time to play New Zealand.

The national team will assemble in Dublin on the start of the week before traveling to the US on Tuesday.

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

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

Times BST

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