Doris Secures Spot in Irish Team But McCarthy Omitted

Newly reappointed head coach the Ireland coach has included captain Doris in his Irish roster for the fall internationals, however lock McCarthy is absent.

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

Lock McCarthy, on the other hand, did not make the cut after failing to recover from the foot issue suffered during the first British and Irish Lions Test against Australia in July.

Northern province forward Cormac Izuchukwu and Munster winger Nash are also absent because of fitness concerns, while number 15 Hugo Keenan was previously excluded after undergoing hip surgery following the summer tour.

Leinster prop Paddy McCarthy - Joe's younger brother - is the sole new member in the 34-player group, but Irish rugby authorities says new provincial pair Edogbo and Brian Gleeson and previously capped Connacht winger Shayne Bolton will travel to Chicago as "backup".

Following facing the All Blacks at the Chicago stadium in a repeat of their 2016 encounter, the team host Japan, the Wallabies 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 veteran members and for those who made their debuts on the recent tour to the Lelos and Portugal," said the coach, back to national team duties after a break to lead the British and Irish Lions to Australia.

In a mostly experienced selection, the Dublin club's Prendergast and Munster's Crowley will again compete for the first-choice fly-half position. The number 10 jersey is still available, as the two players poised to face off for the first time in the upcoming URC match at Croke Park.

Ciaran Frawley is the additional number 10 selected with the coach opting against selecting Leinster's Byrne.

At number 9, the Ireland boss has picked British and Irish Lion Gibson-Park and Casey, who captained Ireland to the summer Test victories over the Lelos and Portugal. There is also a recall for the western province's Blade, chosen to club-mate Ben Murphy.

Henshaw, Bundee Aki, Ringrose and McCloskey form an experienced cohort of midfield options. Jamie Osborne is another option in the centres, though the youngster is additionally a frontrunner to cover for the full-back at full-back.

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

Paddy McCarthy is the sole fresh name in the Ireland pack. The loose-head prop has started a couple of Leinster's URC United Rugby Championship matches this season and featured in Ireland A's defeat by England in Bristol earlier this year.

McCarthy was included in caretaker coach O'Connell's summer squad, yet did not earn a international appearance.

Munster second row Thomas Ahern, who earned his first two caps in those matches, is kept in the squad, and experienced Ulster lock Iain Henderson returns after missing the summer tour.

Conan, who started each of the Lions Tests during the tour, is set to deputise for the captain should the captain fails to recover fitness in time to play New Zealand.

The Ireland squad will assemble in Dublin on Monday before traveling to Chicago on Tuesday.

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

Backs (15): Aki (Province), Blade (Connacht), Casey (Province), Jack Crowley (Munster), Ciaran Frawley (Leinster), Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster), Mack Hansen (Connacht), Robbie Henshaw (Province), James Lowe (Province), McCloskey (Province), O'Brien (Province), Jamie Osborne (Leinster), Sam Prendergast (Leinster), Ringrose (Leinster), Stockdale (Province).

Times BST

• Ireland v the All Blacks, November 1, Soldier Field (20:10)
• The side v Japan, November 8, Dublin (12:40)
• Ireland v the Wallabies, November 15, Aviva Stadium (20:10)
• Ireland v the Springboks, November 22, Dublin (17:40)