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 Wednesday afternoon, and Ryan was named skipper.

The 26-year-old Ryan will lead his country for the first time since last year’s championship loss to France in Paris and for a seventh occasion overall. 

Sexton will travel with the Ireland squad to Stadio Olimpico, despite sustaining a groin problem in the second-round win over Les Bleus, and lock Ryan plans to lean on his influential Leinster teammate for guidance.

“It’s obviously a huge honor, it is very cool and 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] has big shoes to fill. He will be traveling 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 traveling, I’m sure we will catch up over there.”

Ireland launched itself 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 now is 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,” said Ryan, who won his 50th test cap last time out. “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.

“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.”