Caelan Doris Secures Spot in Ireland Team But McCarthy Omitted

Returning manager the Ireland coach has included skipper Caelan Doris in his Irish team for the fall Tests, however lock McCarthy misses out.

Doris, who has not played since having shoulder surgery in early May, has come back to provincial training, with doubts lingering whether he will be ready to face New Zealand in Chicago on 1 November.

Lock Joe McCarthy, however, was not considered after failing to recover from the foot issue suffered during the first Lions Test against the Wallabies in July.

Ulster player Cormac Izuchukwu and southern province winger Nash are not included because of fitness concerns, and number 15 Keenan was previously excluded after undergoing a hip operation following the summer tour.

Leinster prop Paddy McCarthy - Joe's younger brother - is the only uncapped member in the 34-man group, however the Irish Rugby Football Union states new provincial duo Edwin Edogbo and Brian Gleeson and previously capped Connacht winger Shayne Bolton will travel to Chicago as "cover".

After playing the All Blacks at the Chicago stadium in a rematch of their previous encounter, Ireland will play Japan, the Wallabies and world title holders South Africa in the Irish capital.

"It's an exciting group to the panel and there's an opportunity for the veteran players and for the newcomers on the recent tour to the Lelos and the Lobos," said Farrell, who returns to national team duties after taking a sabbatical to coach the British and Irish Lions to Australia.

In a largely familiar-looking selection, the Dublin club's Sam Prendergast and Munster's Jack Crowley will again vie for the starting fly-half position. The number 10 jersey is remains up for grabs, as the two players set to play against each other for the first time in the upcoming URC game at the Dublin venue.

Frawley is the third number 10 chosen as Farrell opting against selecting the province's Byrne.

At scrum-half, Farrell has picked Lions tourist Jamison Gibson-Park and Casey, who led the national side to the summer international victories over the Lelos and Portugal. Additionally, there is a recall for the western province's Caolin Blade, who is preferred to club-mate Ben Murphy.

Henshaw, Aki, Ringrose and McCloskey form an veteran cohort of centre options. Osborne is another option in the centres, but the youngster is also a frontrunner to deputise for Keenan at full-back.

Outside backs Lowe, Hansen, O'Brien and Stockdale are included. O'Brien impressed on his first Ireland outings over the summer with a brace each in the victories over the Lelos and the Lobos.

McCarthy is the sole fresh name in the Ireland forwards. The front rower has started two of Leinster's URC league matches this season and featured in the second string's defeat by England in the English city earlier this year.

The 22-year-old was included in caretaker coach O'Connell's summer selection, but did not earn a international appearance.

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

Conan, who started all three Lions matches over the summer, is set to cover for Doris should the skipper fails to recover fitness in time to play New Zealand.

The national team will meet in the capital on the start of the week before flying to Chicago on the following day.

Forwards (19): Ahern (Province), Baird (Province), Bealham (Province), Tadhg Beirne (Province), Boyle (Leinster), Thomas Clarkson (Leinster), Jack Conan (Province), Caelan Doris (Province, capt), Furlong (Province), Iain Henderson (Province), Kelleher (Leinster), G McCarthy (Leinster), P McCarthy (Province), Porter (Province), C Prendergast (Province), Ryan (Province), Dan Sheehan (Leinster), Nick Timoney (Province), Josh van der Flier (Leinster).

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

Kick-off times

• Ireland v New Zealand, November 1, Soldier Field (20:10)
• Ireland v the Brave Blossoms, 8 November, Aviva Stadium (12:40)
• Ireland v the Wallabies, November 15, Aviva Stadium (20:10)
• Ireland v South Africa, November 22, Aviva Stadium (17:40)