Caelan Doris Makes Ireland Selection But Joe McCarthy Misses Out

Returning manager the Ireland coach has selected captain Doris in his Irish squad for the autumn matches, however lock McCarthy is absent.

The captain, who has not played since undergoing a shoulder operation in early May, recently returned to provincial training, though his fitness is uncertain if he will be fit to play against the All Blacks in the US on November 1.

Lock McCarthy, on the other hand, was not considered after failing to recover from the foot issue he sustained during the opening British and Irish Lions Test against Australia in July.

Northern province forward Cormac Izuchukwu and Munster wing Nash are not included because of fitness concerns, while full-back Hugo Keenan was previously excluded after undergoing a hip operation following the summer tour.

Leinster prop McCarthy - the brother of Joe - is the sole uncapped player in the 34-player group, however Irish rugby authorities says new Munster pair Edwin Edogbo and Brian Gleeson and previously capped Connacht winger 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 will play Japan, the Wallabies and world title holders the Springboks in the Irish capital.

"There's an exciting look to the panel and it's a chance for the veteran players and for the newcomers on the summer tour to the Lelos and the Lobos," said the coach, who returns to national team duties after a break to lead the British and Irish Lions to the southern hemisphere.

In a largely familiar-looking selection, the Dublin club's Sam Prendergast and the southern club's Crowley will again compete for the first-choice number 10 position. The number 10 jersey is still up for grabs, as 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 additional fly-half selected as the coach opting against selecting the province's Harry Byrne.

At scrum-half, Farrell has selected Lions tourist Jamison Gibson-Park and Casey, who led Ireland to the summer Test wins over the Lelos and Portugal. There is also a return for Connacht's Caolin Blade, chosen to club-mate Murphy.

Henshaw, Aki, Garry Ringrose and Stuart McCloskey represent an veteran group of midfield options. Jamie Osborne is a further choice in the centres, but the 23-year-old is additionally a frontrunner to deputise for the full-back at full-back.

Wingers James Lowe, Mack Hansen, O'Brien and Jacob Stockdale are named. O'Brien impressed on his national team debut over the summer with a brace each in the wins over Georgia and the Lobos.

McCarthy is the sole fresh name in the Irish forwards. The loose-head prop has started a couple of Leinster's URC league matches so far and played in the second string's defeat by the English in the English city previously.

McCarthy was included in interim boss Paul O'Connell's summer squad, yet did not receive a international appearance.

Munster second row Thomas Ahern, who earned his first two caps in those matches, is kept in the squad, and veteran Northern province second row Iain Henderson is back after missing the summer tour.

Jack Conan, who started all three Lions Tests during the tour, is poised to cover for the captain should the skipper does not regain fitness in time to face New Zealand.

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

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

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

Times BST

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