Doris Secures Spot in Ireland Selection But Joe McCarthy Misses Out

Newly reappointed manager the Ireland coach has included captain Caelan Doris in his Ireland team for the fall matches, but Joe McCarthy misses out.

The captain, who has not played since having shoulder surgery in early May, recently returned to provincial training, but it remains unclear if he will be ready to play against the All Blacks in Chicago on 1 November.

Second row Joe McCarthy, however, was not considered after not recovering from the foot injury he sustained during the first Lions match against the Wallabies in the summer.

Ulster forward Izuchukwu and southern province winger Nash are not included due to injury, and full-back Keenan was previously excluded after having hip surgery following the summer tour.

Leinster forward McCarthy - Joe's younger brother - is the only new member in the 34-player squad, but Irish rugby authorities says new Munster pair Edogbo and Brian Gleeson and previously capped western province wing Shayne Bolton will travel to Chicago as "reserves".

Following facing the All Blacks at Soldier Field in a repeat of their 2016 encounter, Ireland will play the Brave Blossoms, Australia and world title holders the Springboks in Dublin.

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

In a largely experienced selection, Leinster's Sam Prendergast and Munster's Jack Crowley will once again compete for the starting fly-half spot. The fly-half role is remains available, as Prendergast and Crowley poised to face off for the first time in Saturday's United Rugby Championship match at Croke Park.

Ciaran Frawley is the additional number 10 selected with the coach deciding not to selecting Leinster's Harry Byrne.

At scrum-half, the Ireland boss has selected British and Irish Lion Gibson-Park and Craig Casey, who captained the national side to the summer international victories over Georgia and the Lobos. Additionally, there is a return for Connacht's Blade, who is preferred to club-mate Ben Murphy.

Robbie Henshaw, Aki, Garry Ringrose and Stuart McCloskey represent an experienced group of midfield choices. Jamie Osborne is a further choice in the midfield, but the youngster is also a leading candidate to cover for Keenan at number 15.

Wingers 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 victories over the Lelos and Portugal.

Paddy McCarthy is the only new addition in the Ireland forwards. The loose-head prop has been in a couple of his province's URC United Rugby Championship matches this season and featured in the second string's loss by the English in Bristol previously.

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

Southern province lock Thomas Ahern, who earned his first two caps in those matches, is retained, and veteran Ulster second row Henderson returns after sitting out the summer tour.

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

The national team will assemble in Dublin on Monday before flying to Chicago on Tuesday.

Forwards (19): Thomas Ahern (Munster), Baird (Province), Finlay Bealham (Province), Tadhg Beirne (Province), Jack Boyle (Province), Thomas Clarkson (Province), Jack Conan (Province), Caelan Doris (Province, captain), Furlong (Province), Henderson (Province), Ronan Kelleher (Province), G McCarthy (Province), Paddy McCarthy (Leinster), Andrew Porter (Province), Cian Prendergast (Province), James Ryan (Leinster), Dan Sheehan (Leinster), Timoney (Ulster), van der Flier (Leinster).

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

Times BST

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