Caelan Doris Secures Spot in Irish Squad But McCarthy Omitted

Newly reappointed head coach the Ireland coach has included captain Caelan Doris in his Irish team for the autumn matches, however Joe McCarthy has been excluded.

Doris, absent from play since undergoing shoulder surgery in the start of May, has come back to Leinster training, but it remains unclear whether he will be fit to face the All Blacks in Chicago on November 1.

Second row McCarthy, however, did not make the cut after failing to recover from the foot injury he sustained during the opening Lions Test against the Wallabies in July.

Ulster forward Izuchukwu and Munster wing Calvin Nash also miss out because of injury, and number 15 Keenan was previously excluded after undergoing hip surgery following the summer tour.

Dublin province forward Paddy McCarthy - the brother of Joe - is the sole new member in the 34-player group, but Irish rugby authorities states uncapped Munster duo Edogbo and Brian Gleeson and previously capped western province winger Bolton will travel to the US as "cover".

After playing the New Zealand at the Chicago stadium in a repeat of their previous meeting, the team host the Brave Blossoms, the Wallabies and world champions South Africa in the Irish capital.

"It's an exciting group to the panel and there's an opportunity for the more experienced members and for the newcomers on the recent tour to Georgia and Portugal," commented Farrell, back to Ireland duty after taking a sabbatical to lead the Lions tour to Australia.

In a largely familiar-looking squad, the Dublin club's Sam Prendergast and the southern club's Jack Crowley will again compete for the first-choice fly-half position. The fly-half role is still available, with the two players set to face off for the first time in the upcoming URC game at Croke Park.

Ciaran Frawley is the third fly-half chosen as Farrell deciding not to calling up the province's Harry Byrne.

At number 9, the Ireland boss has selected British and Irish Lion Gibson-Park and Casey, who captained the national side to the summer international wins over Georgia and Portugal. There is also a recall for Connacht's Caolin Blade, who is preferred to club-mate Ben Murphy.

Robbie Henshaw, Aki, Garry Ringrose and Stuart McCloskey form an veteran cohort of centre options. Osborne is another option in the centres, though the youngster is additionally a leading candidate to deputise for Keenan at number 15.

Outside backs James Lowe, Hansen, Tommy O'Brien and Stockdale are included. O'Brien impressed on his first Ireland outings during the summer with two tries apiece in the wins over the Lelos and Portugal.

McCarthy is the sole fresh addition in the Irish forwards. The loose-head prop has been in a couple of Leinster's three United Rugby Championship games so far and played in Ireland A's defeat by the English in Bristol previously.

The 22-year-old was included in caretaker coach O'Connell's summer selection, but did not earn a international appearance.

Munster second row Thomas Ahern, who earned his debut appearances in those matches, is kept in the squad, and experienced Northern province second row Henderson returns after missing the summer matches.

Conan, who played in each of the Lions Tests over the summer, is set to deputise for the captain should the skipper does not regain full fitness soon enough to face the All Blacks.

The national team will assemble in the capital on Monday before flying to Chicago on the following day.

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

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

Times BST

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