Doris Makes Irish Selection But McCarthy Omitted

Newly reappointed head coach the Ireland coach has named skipper Doris in his Irish roster for the fall internationals, but lock McCarthy is absent.

The captain, who has not played since undergoing shoulder surgery in early May, has come back to Leinster training, though his fitness is uncertain whether he will be fit to face the All Blacks in Chicago on November 1.

Second row Joe McCarthy, on the other hand, did not make the cut after failing to recover from the foot injury he sustained during the first Lions Test against the Wallabies in July.

Ulster forward Izuchukwu and Munster winger Calvin Nash also miss out due to injury, while number 15 Keenan had already been ruled out after having hip surgery after the Lions tour.

Dublin province forward McCarthy - Joe's younger brother - is the sole uncapped member in the 34-player squad, but the Irish Rugby Football Union says new Munster pair Edogbo and Gleeson and once-capped Connacht wing Bolton will travel to Chicago as "reserves".

After playing the New Zealand at Soldier Field in a repeat of their 2016 encounter, Ireland will play Japan, Australia and world title holders South Africa in Dublin.

"There's an exciting look to the panel and there's an opportunity for the veteran players and for those who made their debuts on the summer tour to the Lelos and the Lobos," commented the coach, who returns to Ireland duty after a break to coach the British and Irish Lions to the southern hemisphere.

In a mostly experienced squad, Leinster's Sam Prendergast and the southern club's Crowley will again vie for the starting number 10 position. The number 10 jersey is still up for grabs, as Prendergast and Crowley poised to play against each other for the first time in the upcoming URC game at Croke Park.

Ciaran Frawley is the third fly-half chosen as Farrell opting against calling up the province's Harry Byrne.

At scrum-half, Farrell has selected British and Irish Lion Jamison Gibson-Park and Craig Casey, who led Ireland to the summer international victories over Georgia and Portugal. Additionally, there is a recall for the western province's Blade, chosen to teammate Murphy.

Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, Garry Ringrose and Stuart McCloskey form an veteran cohort of midfield options. Jamie Osborne is another option in the centres, but the 23-year-old is also a frontrunner to deputise for Keenan at full-back.

Outside backs James Lowe, Mack Hansen, Tommy O'Brien and Stockdale are included. O'Brien impressed on his first Ireland outings over the summer with two tries apiece in the wins over the Lelos and the Lobos.

McCarthy is the only fresh name in the Ireland forwards. The loose-head prop has started a couple of his province's URC United Rugby Championship matches so far and featured in Ireland A's loss by the English in the English city earlier this year.

The 22-year-old was included in caretaker coach Paul O'Connell's summer selection, but did not receive a cap.

Munster lock Ahern, who earned his debut appearances in those matches, is kept in the squad, and veteran Ulster lock Iain Henderson returns after missing the summer matches.

Conan, who played in each of the Lions matches during the tour, is poised to deputise for Doris should the skipper does not regain fitness in time to face New Zealand.

The Ireland squad will assemble in Dublin on Monday before flying to the US on Tuesday.

Pack (19): Ahern (Munster), Baird (Leinster), Finlay Bealham (Province), Tadhg Beirne (Province), Boyle (Province), Clarkson (Leinster), Conan (Leinster), Caelan Doris (Province, capt), Furlong (Province), Iain Henderson (Province), Ronan Kelleher (Leinster), Gus McCarthy (Leinster), P McCarthy (Leinster), Porter (Leinster), Cian Prendergast (Province), Ryan (Province), Dan Sheehan (Leinster), Nick Timoney (Province), van der Flier (Province).

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

Times BST

• The national team v the All Blacks, 1 November, Chicago (20:10)
• Ireland 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, Dublin (17:40)