Caelan Doris Secures Spot in Irish Team But Joe McCarthy Omitted

Returning manager Andy Farrell has included skipper Caelan Doris in his Ireland roster for the autumn internationals, however Joe McCarthy has been excluded.

The captain, who has not played since undergoing a shoulder operation in the start of May, recently returned to Leinster training, but it remains unclear if he will be ready to play against the All Blacks in the US on 1 November.

Lock McCarthy, on the other hand, did not make the cut after failing to recover from the foot injury he sustained during the opening Lions match against Australia in the summer.

Ulster player Cormac Izuchukwu and southern province winger Calvin Nash are not included because of fitness concerns, and full-back Keenan was previously excluded after having a hip operation after the summer tour.

Leinster prop McCarthy - Joe's younger brother - is the only new player in the 34-player group, however the Irish Rugby Football Union states uncapped Munster duo Edwin Edogbo and Brian Gleeson and previously capped western province winger Shayne Bolton will travel to Chicago as "cover".

After facing the All Blacks at Soldier Field in a repeat of their previous encounter, Ireland host the Brave Blossoms, Australia and world champions the Springboks in the Irish capital.

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

In a mostly familiar-looking squad, the Dublin club's Sam Prendergast and the southern club's Crowley will again compete for the starting fly-half spot. The number 10 jersey is remains available, with the two players poised to play against each other for the first occasion in the upcoming URC game at the Dublin venue.

Frawley is the third number 10 chosen with the coach opting against calling up the province's Harry Byrne.

At scrum-half, the Ireland boss has picked British and Irish Lion Gibson-Park and Craig Casey, who captained Ireland to the summer international wins over the Lelos and Portugal. There is also a return for the western province's Caolin Blade, chosen to teammate Murphy.

Henshaw, Aki, Ringrose and McCloskey represent an veteran group of midfield choices. Jamie Osborne is a further choice in the centres, though the 23-year-old is also a frontrunner to cover for the full-back at number 15.

Outside backs Lowe, Hansen, O'Brien and Stockdale are named. O'Brien 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 Irish pack. The front rower has started a couple of his province's URC league matches so far and played in the second string's loss by the English in Bristol previously.

McCarthy was included in caretaker coach O'Connell's summer squad, yet did not earn a cap.

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

Conan, who played in each of the Lions matches during the tour, is set to cover for Doris if the skipper does not regain fitness in time to play the All Blacks.

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

Pack (19): Ahern (Province), Ryan Baird (Province), Finlay Bealham (Connacht), Beirne (Province), Boyle (Leinster), Clarkson (Leinster), Jack Conan (Province), Caelan Doris (Province, captain), Tadhg Furlong (Leinster), Iain Henderson (Province), Kelleher (Province), Gus McCarthy (Leinster), P McCarthy (Province), Andrew Porter (Leinster), Cian Prendergast (Connacht), Ryan (Province), Sheehan (Province), Timoney (Ulster), van der Flier (Leinster).

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

Kick-off times

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