Caelan Doris Makes Irish Team While Joe McCarthy Misses Out

Newly reappointed manager the Ireland coach has selected skipper Caelan Doris in his Ireland squad for the autumn Tests, but lock McCarthy is absent.

Doris, absent from play since having shoulder surgery in early May, has come back to Leinster training, though his fitness is uncertain if he will be fit to play against New Zealand in the US on November 1.

Lock Joe McCarthy, however, was not considered after not recovering from the foot issue suffered during the first British and Irish Lions match against the Wallabies in the summer.

Northern province forward Izuchukwu and southern province wing Calvin Nash are not included due to fitness concerns, and number 15 Hugo Keenan had already been ruled out after having a hip operation after the Lions tour.

Leinster prop Paddy McCarthy - the brother of Joe - is the only uncapped member in the 34-man squad, however Irish rugby authorities states new provincial pair Edogbo and Brian Gleeson and previously capped western province winger Bolton will travel to the US as "reserves".

Following playing the New Zealand at the Chicago stadium in a repeat of their previous encounter, the team host Japan, the Wallabies and world title holders South Africa in the Irish capital.

"There's an exciting look to the squad and there's an opportunity for the more experienced players and for the newcomers on the summer tour to the Lelos and the Lobos," said 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, the Dublin club's Sam Prendergast and Munster's Crowley will again compete for the first-choice fly-half spot. The number 10 jersey is remains available, as Prendergast and Crowley set to play against each other for the first occasion in the upcoming United Rugby Championship game at the Dublin venue.

Frawley is the third number 10 selected as the coach opting against selecting Leinster's Byrne.

At scrum-half, the Ireland boss has selected British and Irish Lion Gibson-Park and Casey, who captained the national side to the summer international wins over the Lelos and the Lobos. There is also a recall for the western province's Caolin Blade, who is preferred to club-mate Ben Murphy.

Henshaw, Bundee Aki, Ringrose and Stuart McCloskey form an experienced cohort of midfield choices. Osborne is another option in the midfield, but the 23-year-old is also a leading candidate to deputise for the full-back at full-back.

Wingers James Lowe, Hansen, Tommy O'Brien and Stockdale are included. The winger shone on his national team debut during the summer with a brace each in the wins over the Lelos and the Lobos.

Paddy McCarthy is the sole new addition in the Ireland forwards. The front rower has started a couple of Leinster's URC league matches so far and featured in the second string's loss by England in the English city previously.

The 22-year-old was selected in caretaker coach Paul O'Connell's summer selection, yet did not earn a international appearance.

Southern province lock Ahern, who earned his debut appearances in those Tests, is kept in the squad, while veteran Ulster second row Henderson returns after missing the summer matches.

Jack Conan, who played in all three Lions Tests during the tour, is set to cover for the captain if the captain does not regain fitness in time to play New Zealand.

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

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

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

Kick-off times

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