The Leicester Tigers fly-half takes over from his Welford Road predecessor Andy Goode in the only change to the starting XV from the defeat by Wales a fortnight ago.
He teams up at half-back with Tigers colleague Harry Ellis, while clubmates Julian White and Tom Croft are named among the replacements.
Also on the bench, Paul Hodgson (London Irish) makes way for Danny Care (Harlequins), who has recovered from an ankle injury.
England (v Ireland, away, Saturday 5.30pm)
15 Delon Armitage (London Irish)
14 Paul Sackey (London Wasps)
13 Mike Tindall (Gloucester Rugby)
12 Riki Flutey (London Wasps)
11 Mark Cueto (Sale Sharks)
10 Toby Flood (Leicester Tigers)
9 Harry Ellis (Leicester Tigers)
1 Andrew Sheridan (Sale Sharks)
2 Lee Mears (Bath Rugby)
3 Phil Vickery (London Wasps)
4 Steve Borthwick (Saracens, captain)
5 Nick Kennedy (London Irish)
6 James Haskell (London Wasps)
7 Joe Worsley (London Wasps)
8 Nick Easter (Harlequins)
Replacements
16 Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints)
17 Julian White (Leicester Tigers)
18 Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers)
19 Luke Narraway (Gloucester Rugby)
20 Danny Care (Harlequins)
21 Andy Goode (CA Brive)
22 Mathew Tait (Sale Sharks)
