Caelan Doris to lead Ireland in four-Test autumn international campaign

By PA Sport Staff

Caelan Doris will lead Ireland into their autumn campaign after being retained as captain for the four-Test series that opens against New Zealand in Chicago.

Doris was a leading contender to skipper the British and Irish Lions squad on their summer tour to Australia but was ruled out because of a shoulder injury sustained on Leinster duty in May.

The number eight has yet to play this season, and while he has resumed training with his province, it is unknown whether he will be ready to face the All Blacks on November 1st.

Two Lions are missing from the 34-man squad named for next month’s action, with second row Joe McCarthy and Hugo Keenan unavailable because of respective foot and hip injuries.

Leinster prop Paddy McCarthy, Joe’s younger brother, is included as the only uncapped player.

Wing Calvin Nash and lock Cormac Izuchukwu were also not considered because of injuries.

Andy Farrell’s men head to Chicago on Tuesday to begin their preparations to take on New Zealand at Soldier Field, where the rivals also met in 2016.

Great to have you back in the squad, Caelan! ✊#TeamOfUs pic.twitter.com/WRybwPy9VM

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) October 15, 2025

Fixtures against Japan, Australia, and South Africa, then complete their schedule at the Aviva Stadium.

“There’s an exciting look to the squad and there are opportunities for the more experienced players and for those who made their debuts on the summer tour to Georgia and Portugal,” Farrell said.

“This November’s Quilter Nations Series promises to be a great challenge. We’re playing four top-quality southern hemisphere teams who are all coming off the back of a busy block of matches, and they’ll be keen to finish their year strongly.”

Squad:

Forwards: T Ahern (Munster), R Baird (Leinster), F Bealham (Connacht), T Beirne (Munster), J Boyle (Leinster), T Clarkson (Leinster), J Conan (Leinster), C Doris (Leinster, capt), T Furlong (Leinster), I Henderson (Ulster), R Kelleher (Leinster), G McCarthy (Leinster), P McCarthy (Leinster), A Porter (Leinster), C Prendergast (Connacht), J Ryan (Leinster), D Sheehan (Leinster), N Timoney (Ulster), J van der Flier (Leinster).

Backs: B Aki (Connacht), C Blade (Connacht), C Casey (Munster), J Crowley (Munster), C Frawley (Leinster), J Gibson-Park (Leinster), M Hansen (Connacht), R Henshaw (Leinster), J Lowe (Leinster), S McCloskey (Ulster), T O’Brien (Leinster), J Osborne (Leinster), S Prendergast (Leinster), G Ringrose (Leinster), J Stockdale (Ulster).