Doris Makes Irish Selection But McCarthy Omitted

Returning manager Andy Farrell has included captain Caelan Doris in his Irish roster for the autumn Tests, however lock McCarthy misses out.

Doris, who has not played since having shoulder surgery in early May, has come back to Leinster training, but it remains unclear if he will be fit to face New Zealand in the US on November 1.

Lock Joe McCarthy, on the other hand, was not considered after failing to recover from the foot issue he sustained during the first British and Irish Lions match against the Wallabies in the summer.

Northern province forward Izuchukwu and Munster winger Nash also miss out due to fitness concerns, and full-back Hugo Keenan was previously excluded after undergoing a hip operation following the Lions tour.

Dublin province prop Paddy McCarthy - the brother of Joe - is the sole new player in the 34-player group, but Irish rugby authorities says new Munster duo Edwin Edogbo and Brian Gleeson and once-capped western province wing Shayne Bolton will travel to the US as "backup".

Following playing the New Zealand at the Chicago stadium in a rematch of their previous encounter, the team host Japan, Australia and world champions South Africa in Dublin.

"It's an exciting group to the squad and it's a chance for the veteran players and for the newcomers on the summer tour to Georgia and Portugal," said Farrell, back to national team duties after taking a sabbatical to coach the British and Irish Lions to the southern hemisphere.

In a mostly familiar-looking squad, Leinster's Prendergast and Munster's Crowley will once again compete for the first-choice fly-half position. The number 10 jersey is still available, with the two players set to play against each other for the first time in the upcoming URC game at the Dublin venue.

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

At number 9, the Ireland boss has picked Lions tourist Gibson-Park and Craig Casey, who captained the national side to the summer international wins over Georgia and Portugal. There is also a return for the western province's Blade, who is preferred to club-mate Murphy.

Henshaw, Bundee Aki, Ringrose and McCloskey form an veteran cohort of centre choices. Osborne is another option in the midfield, though the 23-year-old is also a leading candidate to deputise for Keenan at number 15.

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

McCarthy is the sole fresh addition in the Ireland pack. The front rower has been in two of his province's three league games this season and featured in the second string's defeat by England in the English city previously.

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

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

Jack Conan, who played in all three Lions matches over the summer, is set to cover for Doris if the skipper does not regain fitness in time to face New Zealand.

The Ireland squad will meet in Dublin on Monday before flying to Chicago on the following day.

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

Backline (15): Bundee Aki (Connacht), Caolin Blade (Province), Casey (Munster), Crowley (Province), Frawley (Province), Jamison Gibson-Park (Province), Mack Hansen (Connacht), Henshaw (Province), James Lowe (Province), McCloskey (Province), O'Brien (Leinster), Jamie Osborne (Leinster), S Prendergast (Leinster), Garry Ringrose (Province), Jacob Stockdale (Ulster).

Times BST

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