Joe Schmidt leaves out a host of big names for Ireland squad headed to Chicago

Ireland are taking just 26 players with them to Chicago and they're leaving out a host of big names.

Joe Schmidt's side take on Italy in the first of their November internationals in Soldier Field with three further games to follow in Dublin.

• Ireland v Italy (Nov 3)
• Ireland v Argentina (Nov 10)
• Ireland v New Zealand (Nov 17)
• Ireland v United States (Nov 24)

It seems that the country is resting up some key figures, however, and sparing some of them the return trip to Illinois with Johnny Sexton, Peter O'Mahony, CJ Stander and Rob Henshaw notable absences. Two uncapped players will make the trip, a success for both Ulster and Leinster, with Will Addison and Ross Byrne receiving. Forwards (15) Finlay Bealham (Buccaneers/Connacht) 7 Tadhg Beirne (Munster) 2 Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster) 9 Sean Cronin (St. Mary's College/Leinster) 62 Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster) 26 Dave Kilcoyne (UL Bohemians/Munster) 22 Jack McGrath (St. Mary's College/Leinster) 50 Jordi Murphy (Lansdowne/Ulster) 23 Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster) 8 Quinn Roux (Galwegians/Connacht) 6 Rhys Ruddock (St Mary's College/Leinster) 19 James Ryan (UCD/Leinster) 11 Niall Scannell (Dolphin/Munster) 9 Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster) 60 Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster) 10 Backs (11) Will Addison (Enniskillen/Ulster) no caps Bundee Aki (Galwegians/Connacht) 9 Ross Byrne (UCD/Leinster) no caps Joey Carbery (Clontarf/Munster) 12 Andrew Conway (Garryowen/Munster) 7 John Cooney (Terenure College/Ulster) 2 Jordan Larmour (St. Mary's College/Leinster) 6 Luke McGrath (UCD/Leinster) 6 Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster) 14 Jacob Stockdale (Ballynahinch/Ulster) 11 Darren Sweetnam (Cork Constitution/Munster) 2