Caelan Doris Secures Spot in Irish Team But McCarthy Misses Out

Newly reappointed head coach Andy Farrell has included skipper Caelan Doris in his Ireland roster for the fall matches, however lock McCarthy misses out.

Doris, who has not played since having shoulder surgery in early May, has come back to provincial training, with doubts lingering whether he will be fit to face the All Blacks in Chicago on 1 November.

Second row Joe McCarthy, on the other hand, was not considered after failing to recover from the foot injury suffered during the opening Lions match against the Wallabies in July.

Ulster player Cormac Izuchukwu and Munster winger Nash also miss out due to fitness concerns, and number 15 Hugo Keenan was previously excluded after having a hip operation after the Lions tour.

Dublin province forward Paddy McCarthy - Joe's younger brother - is the sole new member in the 34-player group, but the Irish Rugby Football Union states new provincial pair Edogbo and Gleeson and previously capped western province wing Shayne Bolton will travel to the US as "cover".

After facing the All Blacks at Soldier Field in a repeat of their previous encounter, Ireland will play Japan, Australia and world title holders the Springboks in Dublin.

"It's an exciting group to the squad and it's a chance for the veteran members and for the newcomers on the recent tour to the Lelos and Portugal," commented Farrell, who returns to Ireland duty after a break to lead the British and Irish Lions to Australia.

In a largely experienced selection, the Dublin club's Sam Prendergast and the southern club's Crowley will once again vie for the first-choice fly-half spot. The fly-half role is remains up for grabs, as Prendergast and Crowley set to play against each other for the first occasion in Saturday's URC game at Croke Park.

Frawley is the third number 10 chosen with the coach deciding not to calling up Leinster's Byrne.

At number 9, Farrell has selected Lions tourist Jamison Gibson-Park and Craig Casey, who captained the national side to the summer Test wins over Georgia and the Lobos. Additionally, there is a return for Connacht's Caolin Blade, chosen to teammate Ben Murphy.

Henshaw, Aki, Ringrose and McCloskey form an experienced cohort of midfield choices. Jamie Osborne is a further choice in the centres, but the 23-year-old is additionally a frontrunner to cover for Keenan at number 15.

Outside backs James Lowe, Hansen, Tommy O'Brien and Stockdale are named. O'Brien impressed on his national team debut during the summer with two tries apiece in the wins over the Lelos and Portugal.

Paddy McCarthy is the sole new name in the Ireland forwards. The front rower has been in two of his province's three league matches this season and featured in Ireland A's loss by England in the English city previously.

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

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

Jack Conan, who started each of the Lions matches during the tour, is poised to cover for the captain if the skipper fails to recover full fitness in time to play New Zealand.

The Ireland squad will meet in the capital on Monday before traveling to the US on the following day.

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

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

Kick-off times

• The national team v the All Blacks, 1 November, Soldier Field (20:10)
• The side v Japan, 8 November, Aviva Stadium (12:40)
• Ireland v Australia, 15 November, Aviva Stadium (20:10)
• Ireland v South Africa, November 22, Aviva Stadium (17:40)