Ireland are due to fly to Johannesburg on Tuesday ahead of facing the world champions on July 6th in Pretoria and seven days later in Durban.

The Connacht wing has missed just three Ireland matches since his debut in last year’s Six Nations.

Sexton can become the championship’s outright all-time leading points scorer this weekend.

The 28-year-old will be replaced by Stuart McCloskey against Italy at Stadio Olimpico.

Catt became a world champion with England in 2003.

The fly-half was taken off with suspected concussion in the series opener.