Caelan Doris Secures Spot in Ireland Team But Joe McCarthy Misses Out

Newly reappointed manager the Ireland coach has selected skipper Caelan Doris in his Irish squad for the fall internationals, but Joe McCarthy is absent.

The captain, who has not played since having shoulder surgery in the start of May, recently returned to provincial training, but it remains unclear if he will be fit to face the All Blacks in the US on 1 November.

Lock McCarthy, on the other hand, did not make the cut after not recovering from the foot issue suffered during the first Lions match against the Wallabies in July.

Ulster player Izuchukwu and southern province winger Calvin Nash also miss out due to fitness concerns, and full-back Keenan had already been ruled out after having a hip operation after the summer tour.

Leinster prop McCarthy - the brother of Joe - is the sole new member in the 34-man squad, but the Irish Rugby Football Union says uncapped Munster pair Edogbo and Brian Gleeson and previously capped western province winger Bolton will travel to the US as "cover".

Following playing the All Blacks at Soldier Field in a rematch of their 2016 encounter, Ireland host the Brave Blossoms, the Wallabies and world champions the Springboks in Dublin.

"It's an exciting group to the panel and there's an opportunity for the more experienced players and for the newcomers on the recent tour to the Lelos and the Lobos," said the coach, back to Ireland duty after a break to coach the Lions tour to the southern hemisphere.

In a largely familiar-looking selection, the Dublin club's Prendergast and Munster's Crowley will once again compete for the first-choice fly-half spot. The number 10 jersey is remains available, with the two players poised to face off for the first occasion in Saturday's URC game at Croke Park.

Frawley is the third number 10 selected as Farrell opting against calling up Leinster's Byrne.

At number 9, the Ireland boss has picked British and Irish Lion Gibson-Park and Craig Casey, who captained Ireland to the summer international victories over the Lelos and the Lobos. There is also a recall for the western province's Caolin Blade, chosen to teammate Ben Murphy.

Robbie Henshaw, Aki, Ringrose and McCloskey represent an veteran group of centre options. Osborne is another option in the midfield, though the 23-year-old is additionally a leading candidate to cover for the full-back at full-back.

Outside backs James Lowe, Mack Hansen, Tommy O'Brien and Stockdale are included. The winger impressed on his first Ireland outings over the summer with a brace each in the wins over Georgia and Portugal.

McCarthy is the sole fresh name in the Irish forwards. The loose-head prop has been in two of his province's three United Rugby Championship games so far and featured in Ireland A's defeat by the English in Bristol earlier this year.

McCarthy was included in interim boss Paul O'Connell's summer selection, but did not earn a cap.

Munster second row Thomas Ahern, who earned his debut appearances in those Tests, is retained, and experienced Northern province second row Iain Henderson is back after sitting out the summer tour.

Jack Conan, who played in all three Lions matches over the summer, is set to cover for the captain if the captain fails to recover fitness in time to play the All Blacks.

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

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

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

Kick-off times

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