Doris Makes Irish Team While McCarthy Misses Out

Returning manager the Ireland coach has selected captain Doris in his Ireland team for the autumn internationals, but Joe McCarthy has been excluded.

The captain, absent from play since having a shoulder operation in early May, recently returned to provincial training, but it remains unclear if he will be ready to play against the All Blacks in the US on November 1.

Lock Joe McCarthy, on the other hand, was not considered after not recovering from the foot injury suffered during the first Lions match against the Wallabies in July.

Ulster forward Izuchukwu and southern province wing Nash are not included due to fitness concerns, and full-back Hugo Keenan had already been ruled out after having a hip operation following the summer tour.

Dublin province prop Paddy McCarthy - the brother of Joe - is the only uncapped player in the 34-man group, but Irish rugby authorities states new provincial duo Edogbo and Gleeson and previously capped western province winger Shayne Bolton will head to the US as "cover".

After facing the All Blacks at Soldier Field in a repeat of their 2016 meeting, Ireland host Japan, Australia and world title holders South Africa in the Irish capital.

"There's an exciting look to the panel and it's a chance for the veteran players and for the newcomers on the summer tour to Georgia and Portugal," said the coach, back to Ireland duty after a break to coach the British and Irish Lions to Australia.

In a largely experienced selection, the Dublin club's Prendergast and the southern club's Crowley will again vie for the starting fly-half spot. The number 10 jersey is remains up for grabs, as the two players poised to face off for the first time in the upcoming United Rugby Championship game at Croke Park.

Ciaran Frawley is the additional fly-half chosen as the coach opting against selecting the province's Byrne.

At number 9, Farrell has selected Lions tourist Gibson-Park and Casey, who captained the national side to the summer international wins over the Lelos and Portugal. There is also a return for the western province's Caolin Blade, who is preferred to club-mate Ben Murphy.

Henshaw, Bundee Aki, Garry Ringrose and Stuart McCloskey represent an experienced group of midfield choices. Osborne is another option in the centres, though the 23-year-old is additionally a leading candidate to deputise for Keenan at number 15.

Wingers James Lowe, Hansen, O'Brien and Stockdale are named. O'Brien impressed on his first Ireland outings over the summer with two tries apiece in the wins over Georgia and Portugal.

McCarthy is the sole fresh name in the Ireland pack. The loose-head prop has started two of his province's URC United Rugby Championship games this season and played in Ireland A's loss by the English in the English city earlier this year.

The 22-year-old was selected in interim boss Paul O'Connell's summer squad, yet did not earn a cap.

Southern province lock Thomas Ahern, who received his debut appearances in those matches, is kept in the squad, and experienced Ulster second row Henderson returns after missing the summer matches.

Conan, who played in each of the Lions matches during the tour, is set to deputise for Doris if the skipper does not regain fitness soon enough to face the All Blacks.

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

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

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

Kick-off times

• Ireland v the All Blacks, 1 November, Chicago (20:10)
• The side v Japan, 8 November, Aviva Stadium (12:40)
• The team v Australia, November 15, Dublin (20:10)
• The Irish v South Africa, November 22, Aviva Stadium (17:40)