The Italians pushed Scotland back in the scrum and stole several of their line-outs, which contributed to the 18-15 defeat in Rome that has put Townsend's side on the back foot ahead of welcoming the "old enemy" to Murrayfield.
Hooker George Turner and prop Nathan McBeth come into the starting XV, while Gregor Brown and Jamie Ritchie have also been added to the back row.
The backline remains unchanged, with Finn Russell alongside Ben White, and captain Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones the midfield pairing.
There is still no place for rampaging wing Duhan van der Merwe in the match-day 23, despite being a significant thorn in the side of Steve Borthwick's team in the past.
Scotland have won four of their last five meetings with England, but lost 16-15 when the teams met at Twickenham in last year's championship.
England's last win at Murrayfield was in 2020. They started their 2026 championship with a 48-7 home win over Wales.
SCOTLAND (v England)
Jordan, Steyn, Jones, Tuipulotu (capt), Dobie, Russell, White; McBeth, Turner, Z Fagerson, Brown, Cummings, Ritchie, Darge, Dempsey.
Replacements: Cherry, Schoeman, Millar-Mills, Williamson, M Fagerson, Horne, Hastings, Graham.
