Caelan Doris Makes Irish Team But Joe McCarthy Left Out

Newly reappointed manager the Ireland coach has included captain Caelan Doris in his Ireland team for the fall matches, but lock McCarthy is absent.

The captain, absent from play since undergoing shoulder surgery in the start of May, recently returned to provincial training, with doubts lingering if he will be fit to play against New Zealand in Chicago on 1 November.

Second row McCarthy, on the other hand, did not make the cut after not recovering from the foot injury he sustained during the opening British and Irish Lions match against the Wallabies in July.

Northern province player Izuchukwu and Munster winger Calvin Nash also miss out due to injury, while number 15 Hugo Keenan had already been ruled out after having hip surgery following the Lions tour.

Dublin province prop Paddy McCarthy - Joe's younger brother - is the sole uncapped member in the 34-man group, however the Irish Rugby Football Union says new Munster pair Edogbo and Gleeson and once-capped western province wing Shayne Bolton will head to Chicago as "cover".

After facing the New Zealand at Soldier Field in a rematch of their previous meeting, Ireland host the Brave Blossoms, the Wallabies and world title holders the Springboks in the Irish capital.

"There's an exciting look to the panel and there's an opportunity for the veteran players and for those who made their debuts on the recent tour to Georgia and Portugal," commented the coach, who returns to national team duties after taking a sabbatical to lead the Lions tour to the southern hemisphere.

In a largely experienced squad, Leinster's Prendergast and the southern club's Crowley will again vie for the first-choice number 10 position. The fly-half role is remains up for grabs, with the two players poised to face off for the first occasion in the upcoming United Rugby Championship match at Croke Park.

Frawley is the additional fly-half chosen with the coach deciding not to calling up Leinster's Byrne.

At number 9, the Ireland boss has selected Lions tourist Gibson-Park and Casey, who led Ireland to the summer international victories over the Lelos and Portugal. There is also a recall for Connacht's Blade, chosen to teammate Ben Murphy.

Henshaw, Bundee Aki, Garry Ringrose and McCloskey form an veteran group of midfield choices. Osborne is a further choice in the centres, but the 23-year-old is additionally a leading candidate to deputise for Keenan at full-back.

Outside backs Lowe, Mack Hansen, O'Brien and Jacob Stockdale are named. O'Brien shone on his first Ireland outings over the summer with a brace each in the wins over the Lelos and the Lobos.

McCarthy is the sole new addition in the Irish forwards. The front rower has started a couple of his province's three league games this season and played in Ireland A's defeat by the English in the English city previously.

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

Southern province lock Thomas Ahern, who received his first two caps in those Tests, is kept in the squad, while veteran Ulster second row Henderson returns after missing the summer matches.

Conan, who played in each of the Lions matches over the summer, is poised to cover for Doris should the captain does not regain full fitness in time to play New Zealand.

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

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

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

Times BST

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