'There’s a no-excuse mentality in the group' - Ireland better placed to cope with injuries 

Second row Ryan, who earned his 50th Test cap for Ireland in their 32-19 victory at home to France last time out, will lead his country for the seventh time this weekend after regular skipper Sexton was ruled out through a groin injury.

LEADING ROLE: James Ryan during an Ireland rugby media conference at the IRFU High-Performance Centre at the Sport Ireland Campus in Dublin. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

James Ryan insists Ireland are much better placed to cope without Johnny Sexton after he was handed the captaincy for Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations trip to Italy.

SIX NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP

Your home for the latest news, views and analysis of this year's Six Nations Championship from our award winning sports team.

SIX NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP

Your home for the latest news, views and analysis of this year's Six Nations Championship from our award winning sports team.