Caelan Doris Secures Spot in Irish Team But Joe McCarthy Left Out

Returning head coach Andy Farrell has named captain Doris in his Irish roster for the fall Tests, but lock McCarthy has been excluded.

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

Lock McCarthy, however, was not considered after failing to recover from the foot issue suffered during the first Lions match against Australia in the summer.

Ulster player Izuchukwu and Munster winger Calvin Nash also miss out due to fitness concerns, while number 15 Hugo Keenan was previously excluded after undergoing hip surgery after the summer tour.

Dublin province forward Paddy McCarthy - the brother of Joe - is the sole uncapped member in the 34-man squad, but Irish rugby authorities states new provincial duo Edogbo and Brian Gleeson and previously capped western province winger Bolton will head to the US as "backup".

After playing the New Zealand at Soldier Field in a rematch of their previous meeting, the team will play the Brave Blossoms, the Wallabies and world title holders South Africa in the Irish capital.

"There's an exciting look to the panel and there's an opportunity for the more experienced members and for the newcomers on the recent tour to the Lelos and Portugal," said the coach, back to Ireland duty after a break to coach the Lions tour to Australia.

In a mostly familiar-looking squad, Leinster's Prendergast and the southern club's Crowley will once again compete for the first-choice number 10 spot. The number 10 jersey is remains up for grabs, with Prendergast and Crowley poised to face off for the first occasion in Saturday's United Rugby Championship game at Croke Park.

Frawley is the third fly-half chosen with Farrell deciding not to selecting Leinster's Byrne.

At scrum-half, the Ireland boss has selected Lions tourist Gibson-Park and Casey, who captained the national side to the summer Test victories over the Lelos and Portugal. Additionally, there is a return for the western province's Caolin Blade, chosen to teammate Ben Murphy.

Robbie Henshaw, Aki, Garry Ringrose and McCloskey represent an experienced group of midfield choices. Osborne is another option in the midfield, though the 23-year-old is additionally a frontrunner to cover for the full-back at number 15.

Outside backs James Lowe, Mack Hansen, O'Brien and Jacob Stockdale are included. O'Brien shone on his national team debut during the summer with a brace each in the wins over Georgia and the Lobos.

Paddy McCarthy is the sole fresh name in the Ireland forwards. The loose-head prop has been in a couple of Leinster's URC league matches so far and featured in Ireland A's defeat by the English in Bristol earlier this year.

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

Munster second row Ahern, who earned his debut appearances in those matches, is kept in the squad, and experienced Northern province second row Henderson is back after sitting out the summer matches.

Conan, who played in all three Lions Tests over the summer, is set to cover for Doris if the captain fails to recover fitness soon enough to play New Zealand.

The Ireland squad will assemble in the capital on the start of the week before traveling to the US on the following day.

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

Backs (15): Aki (Province), Caolin Blade (Province), Craig Casey (Munster), Crowley (Province), Frawley (Leinster), Gibson-Park (Province), Hansen (Province), Robbie Henshaw (Leinster), Lowe (Leinster), McCloskey (Province), Tommy O'Brien (Province), Jamie Osborne (Leinster), S Prendergast (Leinster), Garry Ringrose (Leinster), Jacob Stockdale (Province).

Kick-off times

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