Doris Makes Irish Selection But Joe McCarthy Omitted

Returning head coach Andy Farrell has selected captain Doris in his Irish roster for the autumn matches, but lock McCarthy is absent.

Doris, who has not played since undergoing a shoulder operation in early May, recently returned to Leinster training, but it remains unclear whether he will be fit to face the All Blacks in the US on November 1.

Lock Joe McCarthy, however, was not considered after not recovering from the foot issue suffered during the first Lions match against the Wallabies in the summer.

Ulster forward Izuchukwu and Munster winger Nash are also absent due to fitness concerns, and number 15 Keenan was previously excluded after undergoing hip surgery after the Lions tour.

Leinster forward Paddy McCarthy - the brother of Joe - is the only new player in the 34-man group, however Irish rugby authorities says uncapped Munster pair Edogbo and Brian Gleeson and previously capped Connacht winger Shayne Bolton will travel to Chicago as "reserves".

After playing the All Blacks at the Chicago stadium in a rematch of their 2016 encounter, Ireland host Japan, Australia and world title holders South Africa in the Irish capital.

"It's an exciting group to the panel and it's a chance for the veteran members and for the newcomers on the recent tour to the Lelos and Portugal," commented the coach, who returns to Ireland duty after a break to lead the Lions tour to the southern hemisphere.

In a mostly experienced selection, Leinster's Sam Prendergast and Munster's Crowley will again compete for the first-choice fly-half spot. The fly-half role is remains up for grabs, as the two players poised to face off for the first occasion in Saturday's URC game at the Dublin venue.

Frawley is the additional fly-half chosen with Farrell opting against calling up Leinster's Byrne.

At scrum-half, the Ireland boss has selected British and Irish Lion Gibson-Park and Casey, who captained Ireland to the summer international wins over the Lelos and the Lobos. There is also a recall for the western province's Caolin Blade, chosen to teammate Murphy.

Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, Garry Ringrose and McCloskey form an veteran group of midfield choices. Jamie Osborne is a further choice in the midfield, but the 23-year-old is additionally a frontrunner to deputise for Keenan at full-back.

Outside backs Lowe, Mack Hansen, O'Brien and Stockdale are included. O'Brien shone on his national team debut over the summer with two tries apiece in the wins over Georgia and Portugal.

McCarthy is the only fresh name in the Irish pack. The loose-head prop has been in a couple of his province's URC United Rugby Championship matches this season and played in the second string's defeat by England in Bristol previously.

McCarthy was included in caretaker coach O'Connell's summer selection, yet did not receive a cap.

Munster lock Ahern, who earned his first two caps in those matches, is kept in the squad, while experienced Ulster second row Iain Henderson is back after sitting out the summer matches.

Jack Conan, who started all three Lions matches over the summer, is set to cover for Doris if the captain does not regain fitness in time to face New Zealand.

The Ireland squad will meet in Dublin on Monday before flying to Chicago on the following day.

Forwards (19): Thomas Ahern (Province), Baird (Leinster), Finlay Bealham (Province), Tadhg Beirne (Province), Jack Boyle (Province), Thomas Clarkson (Province), Jack Conan (Leinster), Caelan Doris (Province, captain), Furlong (Province), Iain Henderson (Ulster), Kelleher (Leinster), Gus McCarthy (Leinster), P McCarthy (Leinster), Andrew Porter (Leinster), C Prendergast (Connacht), James Ryan (Leinster), Dan Sheehan (Province), Timoney (Province), Josh van der Flier (Leinster).

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

Kick-off times

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