Sexton, 37, has yet to fully recover from a groin injury sustained in a clash with French player Uini Atonio in Ireland's 32-19 win over France on February 11 .
James Ryan, 26, has previously replaced Sexton in charge of the Irish team when the latter was unavailable.
"Obviously it's a great honor, it's great. It's a great moment for me and my family to be the captain this week. I haven't fully realized it yet," he said during of a press conference.
“I will have to show myself to the height”.
Sexton "will be coming with us this weekend and it will be good to have him by our side", he said before underlining "the way he (Sexton) has of setting the bar very high during matches but also every day, the fact that he is very competitive in training and the difference that makes when he is present in training or not".
Sexton's usual opening half spot will probably be taken over by his Leinster team-mate Ross Byrne, who had already replaced him against France to end the match.
Ireland coach Andy Farrell may have been pressured into not fielding Sexton due to upcoming Tournament matches against Scotland on March 12 and England on March 18.
A victory against Italy would bring Ireland one step closer to a possible Grand Slam after their victories against Wales and France.
It would be his first since 2018.
The final line-up of the Irish squad will be announced on Thursday.
© 2023 AFP