Caelan Doris Included in Irish Squad But McCarthy Misses Out

Newly reappointed manager Andy Farrell has named captain Caelan Doris in his Irish team for the fall internationals, but Joe McCarthy is absent.

Doris, absent from play since undergoing shoulder surgery in early May, recently returned to provincial training, but it remains unclear if he will be ready to face the All Blacks in the US on November 1.

Lock McCarthy, on the other hand, did not make the cut after not recovering from the foot injury suffered during the opening Lions Test against the Wallabies in the summer.

Northern province forward Cormac Izuchukwu and Munster wing Calvin Nash are not included because of fitness concerns, and number 15 Keenan was previously excluded after undergoing a hip operation after the Lions tour.

Leinster prop Paddy McCarthy - the brother of Joe - is the only uncapped member in the 34-man group, but Irish rugby authorities says uncapped Munster pair Edwin Edogbo and Gleeson and previously capped Connacht wing Shayne Bolton will travel to the US as "reserves".

After playing the New Zealand at the Chicago stadium in a rematch of their previous meeting, Ireland host the Brave Blossoms, Australia and world title holders South Africa in Dublin.

"There's an exciting look to the panel and it's a chance for the veteran members and for those who made their debuts on the recent tour to Georgia and Portugal," commented the coach, who returns to national team duties after taking a sabbatical to coach the Lions tour to the southern hemisphere.

In a largely experienced squad, the Dublin club's Sam Prendergast and the southern club's Crowley will again vie for the first-choice fly-half position. The fly-half role is still up for grabs, with Prendergast and Crowley set to face off for the first time in the upcoming United Rugby Championship game at Croke Park.

Ciaran Frawley is the third number 10 chosen with Farrell opting against selecting the province's Byrne.

At scrum-half, Farrell has selected British and Irish Lion Gibson-Park and Craig Casey, who captained the national side to the summer international wins over Georgia and the Lobos. There is also a return for Connacht's Caolin Blade, who is preferred to teammate Ben Murphy.

Henshaw, Aki, Garry Ringrose and Stuart McCloskey represent an veteran cohort of midfield choices. Jamie Osborne is another option in the centres, though the youngster is also a leading candidate to cover for Keenan at full-back.

Outside backs James Lowe, Mack Hansen, O'Brien and Jacob Stockdale are named. The winger shone on his first Ireland outings during the summer with a brace each in the wins over the Lelos and the Lobos.

Paddy McCarthy is the only new name in the Irish pack. The loose-head prop has started a couple of his province's URC United Rugby Championship games so far and played in Ireland A's defeat by England in Bristol previously.

The 22-year-old was selected in interim boss Paul O'Connell's summer squad, yet did not receive a international appearance.

Munster lock Ahern, who earned his debut appearances in those matches, is retained, while veteran Northern province second row Henderson returns after missing the summer matches.

Conan, who started each of the Lions matches during the tour, is poised to cover for the captain should the skipper does not regain full fitness in time to face the All Blacks.

The national team will assemble in Dublin on Monday before traveling to the US on Tuesday.

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

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

Kick-off times

• The national team v the All Blacks, November 1, Chicago (20:10)
• Ireland v the Brave Blossoms, 8 November, Aviva Stadium (12:40)
• Ireland v Australia, 15 November, Aviva Stadium (20:10)
• Ireland v the Springboks, November 22, Dublin (17:40)