Doris Makes Irish Squad But McCarthy Omitted

Returning head coach the Ireland coach has selected skipper Caelan Doris in his Irish squad for the fall internationals, however Joe McCarthy has been excluded.

Doris, absent from play since having a shoulder operation in the start of May, has come back to Leinster training, with doubts lingering if he will be ready to play against the All Blacks in the US on November 1.

Second row Joe McCarthy, however, was not considered after failing to recover from the foot injury suffered during the first Lions match against Australia in July.

Ulster player Izuchukwu and Munster winger Calvin Nash are not included because of fitness concerns, while full-back Hugo Keenan was previously excluded after having hip surgery after the summer tour.

Leinster forward Paddy McCarthy - Joe's younger brother - is the sole uncapped player in the 34-player group, but Irish rugby authorities says uncapped Munster duo Edwin Edogbo and Brian Gleeson and previously capped western province winger Shayne Bolton will travel to the US as "reserves".

Following playing the New Zealand at Soldier Field in a repeat of their previous encounter, the team will play the Brave Blossoms, Australia and world champions the Springboks in Dublin.

"It's an exciting group to the squad and it's a chance for the more experienced players and for the newcomers on the summer tour to the Lelos and Portugal," commented the coach, back to Ireland duty after taking a sabbatical to lead the Lions tour to Australia.

In a mostly experienced squad, the Dublin club's Sam Prendergast and Munster's Jack Crowley will again vie for the starting fly-half spot. The number 10 jersey is still up for grabs, as the two players poised to face off for the first time in the upcoming URC game at Croke Park.

Ciaran Frawley is the third number 10 chosen as the coach deciding not to selecting the province's Harry Byrne.

At number 9, the Ireland boss has picked Lions tourist Gibson-Park and Craig Casey, who captained Ireland to the summer international victories over Georgia and Portugal. There is also a recall for the western province's Caolin Blade, who is preferred to teammate Ben Murphy.

Robbie Henshaw, Aki, Ringrose and McCloskey represent an veteran group of midfield options. Jamie Osborne is a further choice in the centres, though the 23-year-old is also a leading candidate to cover for Keenan at number 15.

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

Paddy McCarthy is the sole fresh addition in the Irish forwards. The front rower has started two of Leinster's URC league games so far and played in Ireland A's defeat by the English in Bristol earlier this year.

McCarthy was selected in caretaker coach Paul O'Connell's summer selection, yet did not earn a international appearance.

Southern province second row Thomas Ahern, who received his first two caps in those matches, is kept in the squad, while experienced Northern province lock Iain Henderson returns after sitting out the summer matches.

Jack Conan, who started all three Lions matches over the summer, is set to deputise for Doris should the skipper fails to recover fitness soon enough to face New Zealand.

The national team will meet in Dublin on Monday before flying to Chicago on the following day.

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

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

Kick-off times

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