Caelan Doris Included in Irish Selection But McCarthy Omitted

Returning manager Andy Farrell has selected captain Doris in his Irish roster for the fall internationals, however lock McCarthy misses out.

The captain, absent from play since undergoing shoulder surgery in the start of May, recently returned to provincial training, though his fitness is uncertain whether he will be fit to play against the All Blacks in the US on 1 November.

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

Northern province forward Cormac Izuchukwu and Munster wing Nash also miss out because of injury, while number 15 Hugo Keenan had already been ruled out after undergoing hip surgery following the summer tour.

Leinster forward McCarthy - the brother of Joe - is the only uncapped member in the 34-man squad, however the Irish Rugby Football Union states new provincial pair Edogbo and Gleeson and previously capped Connacht wing Shayne Bolton will head to the US as "backup".

After playing the All Blacks at Soldier Field in a repeat of their 2016 meeting, Ireland will play Japan, the Wallabies and world champions South Africa in the Irish capital.

"It's an exciting group to the squad and there's an opportunity for the more experienced members and for those who made their debuts on the recent tour to Georgia and the Lobos," commented the coach, back to national team duties after a break to lead the British and Irish Lions to the southern hemisphere.

In a largely experienced squad, the Dublin club's Sam Prendergast and the southern club's Jack Crowley will again vie for the first-choice number 10 position. The number 10 jersey is still available, with the two players set to play against each other for the first time in Saturday's URC match at Croke Park.

Ciaran Frawley is the third fly-half chosen with the coach opting against calling up the province's Harry Byrne.

At scrum-half, the Ireland boss has selected Lions tourist Gibson-Park and Craig Casey, who captained Ireland to the summer international wins over the Lelos and Portugal. There is also a return for Connacht's Blade, chosen to teammate Ben Murphy.

Henshaw, Aki, Garry Ringrose and Stuart McCloskey represent an experienced group of midfield choices. Osborne is another option in the midfield, though the youngster is additionally a leading candidate to deputise for the full-back at number 15.

Wingers Lowe, Hansen, Tommy O'Brien and Jacob Stockdale are included. O'Brien shone on his national team debut over the summer with two tries apiece in the victories over the Lelos and the Lobos.

Paddy McCarthy is the only new addition in the Ireland forwards. The loose-head prop has started a couple of his province's three league matches this season and featured in the second string's loss by the English in the English city earlier this year.

McCarthy was included in interim boss Paul O'Connell's summer selection, yet did not receive a international appearance.

Munster second row Thomas Ahern, who received his debut appearances in those Tests, is kept in the squad, while veteran Northern province lock Henderson returns after missing the summer matches.

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

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

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

Backline (15): Aki (Connacht), Blade (Province), Casey (Province), Jack Crowley (Province), Frawley (Leinster), Gibson-Park (Leinster), Hansen (Connacht), Henshaw (Leinster), Lowe (Leinster), Stuart McCloskey (Ulster), O'Brien (Province), Jamie Osborne (Leinster), Sam Prendergast (Province), Garry Ringrose (Leinster), Jacob Stockdale (Province).

Kick-off times

• Ireland v the All Blacks, November 1, Chicago (20:10)
• The side v the Brave Blossoms, November 8, Aviva Stadium (12:40)
• Ireland v the Wallabies, November 15, Aviva Stadium (20:10)
• The Irish v South Africa, 22 November, Dublin (17:40)