Doris Included in Irish Selection But Joe McCarthy Omitted

Returning head coach the Ireland coach has named skipper Doris in his Irish squad for the autumn Tests, but Joe McCarthy misses out.

The captain, who has not played since undergoing a shoulder operation in the start of May, recently returned to provincial training, with doubts lingering if he will be fit to face the All Blacks in the US on November 1.

Second row McCarthy, however, was not considered after failing to recover from the foot issue he sustained during the first British and Irish Lions Test against the Wallabies in July.

Ulster forward Cormac Izuchukwu and southern province winger Calvin Nash are also absent because of fitness concerns, and number 15 Hugo Keenan had already been ruled out after undergoing a hip operation after the summer tour.

Dublin province forward Paddy McCarthy - Joe's younger brother - is the only new member in the 34-player squad, but Irish rugby authorities states new provincial pair Edogbo and Gleeson and previously capped Connacht wing Bolton will head to Chicago as "backup".

After playing the All Blacks at the Chicago stadium in a repeat of their 2016 meeting, Ireland host Japan, Australia and world champions South Africa in the Irish capital.

"There's an exciting look to the squad and it's a chance for the more experienced players and for those who made their debuts on the recent tour to the Lelos and Portugal," commented the coach, who returns to national team duties after a break to coach the Lions tour to the southern hemisphere.

In a largely experienced selection, the Dublin club's Sam Prendergast and the southern club's Jack Crowley will once again compete for the first-choice fly-half spot. The fly-half role is still up for grabs, as the two players poised to play against each other for the first occasion in Saturday's United Rugby Championship game at the Dublin venue.

Ciaran Frawley is the third fly-half selected with the coach deciding not to calling up Leinster's Harry Byrne.

At number 9, Farrell has picked Lions tourist Jamison Gibson-Park and Craig Casey, who captained the national side to the summer international wins over Georgia and the Lobos. Additionally, there is a recall for the western province's Blade, who is preferred to club-mate Murphy.

Henshaw, Aki, Garry Ringrose and Stuart McCloskey represent an experienced cohort of centre options. Jamie Osborne is another option in the centres, though the youngster is additionally a leading candidate to cover for the full-back at number 15.

Wingers Lowe, Hansen, Tommy O'Brien and Stockdale are named. O'Brien shone on his national team debut during the summer with two tries apiece in the victories over Georgia and Portugal.

Paddy McCarthy is the sole fresh name in the Ireland forwards. The loose-head prop has been in two of his province's URC league games so far and played in Ireland A's defeat by the English in the English city earlier this year.

McCarthy was selected in interim boss Paul O'Connell's summer selection, yet did not receive a cap.

Munster second row Thomas Ahern, who earned his debut appearances in those Tests, is retained, and veteran Ulster second row Henderson is back after missing the summer tour.

Conan, who started each of the Lions Tests during the tour, is set to cover for Doris if the captain does not regain fitness in time to face New Zealand.

The Ireland squad will meet in Dublin on Monday before flying to Chicago on Tuesday.

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

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

Times BST

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