Caelan Doris Secures Spot in Irish Selection While McCarthy Misses Out

Returning head coach the Ireland coach has named skipper Caelan Doris in his Ireland team for the fall Tests, but Joe McCarthy is absent.

The captain, who has not played since having a shoulder operation in early May, has come back to Leinster training, but it remains unclear whether he will be ready to face New Zealand in the US on 1 November.

Second row McCarthy, however, did not make the cut after not recovering from the foot injury suffered during the first Lions Test against the Wallabies in the summer.

Northern province forward Izuchukwu and Munster wing Nash also miss out due to injury, and full-back Hugo Keenan had already been ruled out after having hip surgery after the Lions tour.

Leinster prop McCarthy - Joe's younger brother - is the sole new player in the 34-man group, however Irish rugby authorities says new Munster pair Edwin Edogbo and Brian Gleeson and once-capped western province winger Shayne Bolton will travel to the US as "backup".

After facing the All Blacks at the Chicago stadium in a repeat of their previous meeting, the team 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 it's a chance for the veteran members and for those who made their debuts on the recent tour to Georgia and the Lobos," commented the coach, who returns to national team duties after taking a sabbatical to lead the Lions tour to the southern hemisphere.

In a mostly familiar-looking squad, Leinster's Prendergast and Munster's Crowley will once again compete for the starting number 10 position. The fly-half role is remains up for grabs, as Prendergast and Crowley poised to play against each other for the first time in Saturday's United Rugby Championship match at Croke Park.

Frawley is the third number 10 selected as Farrell deciding not to calling up Leinster's Harry Byrne.

At number 9, the Ireland boss has picked British and Irish Lion Jamison Gibson-Park and Casey, who captained Ireland to the summer Test victories over Georgia and Portugal. Additionally, there is a return for Connacht's Blade, who is preferred to teammate Murphy.

Henshaw, Bundee Aki, Ringrose and McCloskey form an experienced cohort of midfield options. Jamie Osborne is a further choice in the centres, but the youngster is additionally a leading candidate to deputise for Keenan at number 15.

Outside backs James Lowe, Hansen, Tommy O'Brien and Jacob Stockdale are included. O'Brien shone on his national team debut over the summer with a brace each in the victories over Georgia and the Lobos.

Paddy McCarthy is the sole fresh addition in the Ireland forwards. The loose-head prop has been in two of Leinster's URC United Rugby Championship matches this season and played in Ireland A's loss by the English in the English city previously.

McCarthy was included in caretaker coach Paul O'Connell's summer squad, but did not receive a international appearance.

Southern province second row Thomas Ahern, who received his debut appearances in those matches, is kept in the squad, and veteran Northern province second row Henderson returns after sitting out the summer tour.

Conan, who played in all three Lions Tests over the summer, is poised to cover for the captain if the skipper fails to recover fitness soon enough to face the All Blacks.

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

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

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

Kick-off times

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