Elsewhere head coach Andy Robinson has dropped former Lions Euan Murray and Nathan Hines, as well as Dan Parks and Richie Vernon, while Hugo Southwell and Joe Ansbro have been ruled out through injury.
Scotland's most capped player Chris Paterson returns to the starting line-up at fullback, Sean Lamont comes into the centre and Ruaridh Jackson makes his first start. While Moray Low, Richie Gray and Johnnie Beattie come into the pack.
And Robinson is urging the team to "restore the pride in all Scotland supporters" after the disappointing 6-24 defeat to Wales.
"We have made changes with a view to securing our first win of the competition and giving our supporters the lift that they deserve," said Robinson.
"We know that Ireland will bring their own distinct physicality and guile to Murrayfield on Sunday and it is up to our squad to front up to that challenge.
"We must play with belief and eliminate the mistakes which have bedevilled us in our opening two games and we must produce a performance that restores the pride in all Scotland supporters."
Scotland XV: C Paterson; N Walker, N De Luca, S Lamont, M Evans; R Jackson, M Blair; A Jacobsen, R Ford, M Low, R Gray, A Kellock (capt), K Brown, J Beattie, J Barclay.
Replacements: S Lawson, G Cross, N Hines, R Vernon, R Lawson, D Parks, S Danielli.
*Bold denotes a former British and Irish Lion.
