Ireland coach Andy Farrell has named a powerful 35-man squad for next month’s Autumn Nations Series.
Caelan Doris is set to make his long-awaited return from injury and will lead the team.
The 27-year-old No 8, who has been sidelined since May with a shoulder injury, missed Ireland’s mid-year campaign as well as the British & Irish Lions tour, and is yet to feature for Leinster this season.
His selection to lead the team marks a major boost ahead of Tests against New Zealand, Japan, Australia and South Africa.
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Farrell has also handed a maiden call-up to Leinster prop Paddy McCarthy, the only uncapped player in the squad. The coach himself returns to the Ireland setup after missing the Six Nations and July internationals due to his commitments as Lions head coach.
“We’re playing four top-quality southern hemisphere teams who are all coming off the back of a busy block of matches of late and they’ll be keen to finish their year strongly,” Farrell said.
“First up is New Zealand and we’re really excited to get back to Chicago. I’ve no doubt the Irish global supporter base will be out once again in force to cheer on the team in a brilliant city at a world-class arena.”
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Ireland will kick off their campaign against the All Blacks at Soldier Field in Chicago on 1 November, a venue where they famously beat New Zealand for the first time back in 2016. They then return to Dublin for successive home Tests against Japan, the Wallabies and Springboks.
The squad announcement comes with several key absentees through injury, including fullback Hugo Keenan, winger Calvin Nash, and locks Joe McCarthy and Cormac Izuchukwu.
Ireland squad:
Backs – Bundee Aki, Caolin Blade, Craig Casey, Jack Crowley, Ciaran Frawley, Jamison Gibson-Park, Mack Hansen, Robbie Henshaw, James Lowe, Stuart McCloskey, Tommy O’Brien, Jamie Osborne, Sam Prendergast, Gary Ringrose, Jacob Stockdale
Forwards – Thomas Ahern, Ryan Baird, Finlay Bealham, Tadhg Beirne, Jack Boyle, Thomas Clarkson, Jack Conan, Caelan Doris (capt), Tadhg Furlong, Iain Henderson, Ronan Kelleher, Gus McCarthy, Paddy McCarthy, Andrew Porter, Cian Prendergast, James Ryan, Dan Sheehan, Nick Timoney, Josh van der Flier
Our squad for a big November!
#TeamOfUs
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) October 15, 2025
– AFP
Photo: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images
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