Doris Makes Ireland Squad While Joe McCarthy Misses Out

Returning head coach the Ireland coach has selected skipper Caelan Doris in his Ireland squad for the autumn internationals, but Joe McCarthy has been excluded.

Doris, who has not played since having shoulder surgery in early May, recently returned to Leinster training, with doubts lingering if he will be ready to play against the All Blacks in Chicago on 1 November.

Second row Joe McCarthy, on the other hand, was not considered after not recovering from the foot issue he sustained during the opening Lions match against the Wallabies in July.

Ulster player Izuchukwu and Munster wing Calvin Nash are not included because of injury, and full-back Keenan was previously excluded after having hip surgery following the Lions tour.

Leinster forward Paddy McCarthy - the brother of Joe - is the sole new player in the 34-man group, but the Irish Rugby Football Union says new provincial pair Edwin Edogbo and Brian Gleeson and once-capped Connacht wing Shayne Bolton will travel to the US as "reserves".

After facing the New Zealand at the Chicago stadium in a rematch of their previous encounter, the team will play Japan, Australia and world title holders South Africa in the Irish capital.

"There's an exciting look to the panel and there's an opportunity for the more experienced members and for the newcomers on the recent tour to Georgia and the Lobos," commented the coach, back to national team duties after a break to lead the Lions tour to the southern hemisphere.

In a largely familiar-looking squad, Leinster's Prendergast and Munster's Crowley will once again compete for the first-choice fly-half spot. The number 10 jersey is remains up for grabs, as Prendergast and Crowley set to face off for the first occasion in Saturday's URC game at Croke Park.

Ciaran Frawley is the third fly-half selected with Farrell deciding not to calling up the province's Byrne.

At scrum-half, Farrell has picked Lions tourist Gibson-Park and Craig Casey, who led the national side to the summer international victories over Georgia and Portugal. There is also a return for Connacht's Caolin Blade, who is preferred to teammate Ben Murphy.

Henshaw, Bundee Aki, Ringrose and Stuart McCloskey represent an experienced group of midfield choices. Jamie Osborne is a further choice in the midfield, though the 23-year-old is also a frontrunner to deputise for the full-back at full-back.

Outside backs Lowe, Hansen, Tommy O'Brien and Stockdale are named. The winger impressed on his national team debut during the summer with a brace each in the wins over the Lelos and Portugal.

Paddy McCarthy is the only new name in the Irish forwards. The loose-head prop has been in a couple of Leinster's three league games so far and featured in Ireland A's loss by England in Bristol earlier this year.

McCarthy was included in interim boss Paul O'Connell's summer squad, but did not receive a cap.

Munster second row Thomas Ahern, who received his debut appearances in those Tests, is retained, while experienced Northern province second row Henderson returns after missing the summer tour.

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

The national team will meet in the capital on the start of the week before traveling to Chicago on Tuesday.

Pack (19): Thomas Ahern (Province), Baird (Province), Finlay Bealham (Connacht), Beirne (Province), Boyle (Leinster), Clarkson (Leinster), Conan (Province), Doris (Leinster, capt), Tadhg Furlong (Province), Henderson (Province), Kelleher (Province), Gus McCarthy (Leinster), Paddy McCarthy (Province), Porter (Province), C Prendergast (Province), James Ryan (Province), Dan Sheehan (Province), Nick Timoney (Province), van der Flier (Province).

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

Kick-off times

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