Ireland name 23-man squad for NZ clash in Chicago

Ireland named a 23-man matchday squad on Thursday for Saturday's Gallagher Cup clash with New Zealand at Soldier Field in Chicago, with Dan Sheehan to captain and Jack Crowley starting at flyhalf. The selection also includes the return from injury of captain Caelan Doris, who has been named among the replacements and is set to make his first appearance since suffering a shoulder injury in May.

Farrell's starting XV features Jamie Osborne at fullback, Tommy O'Brien on the right wing, Garry Ringrose and Stuart McCloskey in midfield, and James Lowe on the left wing. The pack is led by a front row of Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong, with James Ryan and Tadhg Beirne in the second row. The back row consists of Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier and Jack Conan, who starts at number eight. The bench includes hooker Rónan Kelleher, loosehead Paddy McCarthy, who is poised to make his Test debut, tighthead Finlay Bealham, Iain Henderson, Doris, Craig Casey, Sam Prendergast and Bundee Aki.

Farrell said the squad had been warmly received in Chicago and that he expected a big occasion, noting the historic nature of the fixture and the excitement around McCarthy's potential debut. He...