Ireland name new captain versus Italy as injured Sexton won't play

James Ryan has admitted he has big shoes to fill as he prepares to captain Grand Slam-chasing Ireland against Italy in place of the injured Johnny Sexton. Sexton’s absence for Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations clash in Rome was confirmed on Wednesday afternoon when Ryan was named skipper.

The 26-year-old will lead his country for the first time since last year’s championship defeat to France in Paris and for a seventh occasion overall. Sexton will travel with the Ireland squad to Stadio Olimpico after sustaining a groin problem in the round-two win over Les Bleus and lock Ryan plans to lean on his influential Leinster teammate for guidance.

“It’s obviously a huge honour, it is very cool, it’s a great moment for me and my family,” Ryan said of taking on the captaincy. “We have got a core leadership group that has been there for the last couple of years that work well together.

“But obviously he [Sexton] is big shoes to fill. He will be travelling over with us this weekend so it will be great to have him around. I spoke to him earlier this week and got his advice on a couple of things. It’s great that he is travelling, I’m sure we will catch up over there.”

Ireland launched themselves into pole position for the championship title by beating the French 32-19 on the back of an opening 34-10 success over Wales. Sexton limped off early in the second half of the victory over Fabien Galthie’s reigning champions following a hefty collision with visiting prop Uini Atonio.

Ryan believes Andy Farrell’s side are now better equipped to deal with the loss of star names due to a no-excuse mentality. “That is one of the things that Andy is brilliant at. It’s not 15 or 23, it’s all about the group so the squad depth is one thing that has come on the last couple of years,” said Ryan, who won his 50th Test cap last time out.

“Tadhg Furlong is one example, a big player for us that is injured but how well Finlay Bealham has gone. He is just an example. If there is an injury or someone pulls out late there is a no-excuse mentality in the group. Everyone has to be ready to play and fill that void so that is just the mentality of the team at the moment.”