Leinster back row Caelan Doris will captain Ireland for the autumn internationals against New Zealand, Argentina, Fiji and Australia in Dublin next month.
Doris stood in as skipper for Ireland’s Six Nations win over Italy in February and the summer tour victory over South Africa in Durban.
He said: “I am extremely proud to lead this squad and I know that there’s an experienced group of leaders who will work hard to achieve success.”
Flanker Peter O’Mahony, who took over as captain following Johnny Sexton’s retirement, is named in the squad but will continue his rehabilitation with Munster next week.
Selections
With first-choice hooker Dan Sheehan out until the new year, head coach Andy Farrell has included Connacht’s Dave Heffernan in the squad. Ronan Kelleher and Rob Herring have also been selected despite recent injury woes.
Farrell has included the uncapped duo of Ulster forward Cormac Izuchukwu and Leinster fly-half Sam Prendergast, both of whom were part of the recent Emerging Ireland series in South Africa.
After missing the Six Nations and South Africa summer Tests, Connacht wing Mack Hansen returns to the squad.
Leinster scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park also returns after a hamstring injury forced him to miss the summer series, but there is no place for 2021 Lions tourist Jack Conan.
“There is a blend of youth and experience; all the players are selected on merit from their form from the summer tour, the early rounds of the URC and at the Emerging Ireland tour, which have presented a crop of less experienced players with the opportunity to impress,” said Farrell.
Ireland Squad
FORWARDS: Ryan Baird, Finlay Bealham, Tadhg Beirne, Caelan Doris (c) Tadhg Furlong, Cian Healy, Dave Heffernan, Iain Henderson, Rob Herring, Cormac Izuchukwu, Ronan Kelleher, Joe McCarthy, Peter O’Mahony, Tom O’Toole, Andrew Porter, Cian Prendergast, James Ryan, Nick Timoney, Josh van der Flier
Backs: Bundee Aki, Craig Casey, Jack Crowley, Ciaran Frawley, Jamison Gibson-Park, Mack Hansen, Robbie Henshaw, Hugo Keenan, James Lowe, Stuart McCloskey, Conor Murray, Calvin Nash, Jamie Osborne, Sam Prendergast, Garry Ringrose, Jacob Stockdale
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