Andy Farrell's Ireland squad will disappoint supporters anticipating freshness

Few, though, will be disappointed with the availability of captain Caelan Doris following the serious shoulder injury he sustained during Leinster’s Champions Cup semi-final defeat last May

Caelan Doris returns to the fold. File picture: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Andy Farrell opted for tried and tested continuity over an injection of new blood after naming his Ireland squad for next month’s four internationals against Southern Hemisphere opposition.

A 2027 World Cup pool draw on December 3 and the need to maintain a top-four World Ranking will have undoubtedly played a part in the head coach’s thinking as he prepares a 34-man playing group for November Test window. 

His side will face Gallagher Cup rivals New Zealand in Chicago on November 1 and then Japan, Australia and South Africa on successive Saturdays in the Quilter Nations Series of matches at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium.

So too will the performances of many of the 18 Irishmen he selected to tour with the British & Irish Lions to Australia this summer and who helped him become the first head coach in a dozen years to return to these shores with a series victory.

Yet this is a squad which will disappoint many supporters and pundits alike who were hoping for something of a reboot from Farrell two years out from that World Cup back on Australian soil.

Paddy McCarthy will be the only uncapped player in the squad. File picture: Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile

There is one uncapped player in Farrell’s selection unveiled on Wednesday with Leinster prop Paddy McCarthy named after touring with Ireland in the head coach’s absence to Georgia and Portugal this summer. 

The team plane departing for Chicago next Tuesday will also be carrying Connacht wing Shayne Bolton, capped for the first time in the record 106-7 victory over the Portuguese, and uncapped Munster forwards Edwin Edogbo and Brian Gleeson will provide additional cover for Soldier Field clash with the All Blacks.

Few, though, will be disappointed with the availability once again of Ireland captain Caelan Doris following the serious shoulder injury he sustained during Leinster’s Champions Cup semi-final defeat at home to Northampton Saints last May. That cost him a deserved spot on, and possibly the captaincy’s of Farrell’s Lions squad and though he is yet to return to action he appears ready to feature in some capacity against the All Blacks at Soldier Field in 16 days.

Full-back Hugo Keenan, lock Joe McCarthy, wing Calvin Nash and lock/flanker Cormac Izuchukwu miss out through due to injury, however, the currently sidelined Munster scrum-half Craig Casey, Ireland’s recent tour captain, has been included.