IRELAND hooker Keith Wood and number eight Eric Miller go into the Lions match against Natal at King's Park in Durban this afternoon knowing that Test places are the incentive for good performances.

Wood and Miller are but two of several in the Lions team today who must perform if they are to hold off vigorous challenges from some worthy contenders who have performed so well in the last two midweek matches.

Lions captain Martin Johnson, is in no doubt that Test places are on the line today. Paying tribute to the character and resolution revealed on Wednesday night at Ellis Park against Gauteng (Transvaal) and in the win against Mpumalanga the previous week, he said: "We all saw what those teams produced. There is not a Wednesday and Saturday side in the squad, but several players played in those two matches and played superbly. Those of us who looked on now know exactly the nature of the challenges for Test places."

Assistant coach Jim Telfer was equally emphatic on this issue. "There is nothing better for a touring side than going into a Test series with a lot of players playing well and with competition for Test players intense. The wider the choice the better and we have very realistic options in quite a few positions. The players know this and must responded accordingly. It does not matter to me if we have to take five hours to select the Test team."

Certainly the scrummaging by the Lions against Mpumalanga and Transvaal was much better than it was against Western Province and Northern Transvaal in the last two Saturday matches.

"This is the end of what has been a difficult week for us," said coach Ian McGeechan, "three Super 12 teams in the space of eight days represents a great challenge. In Natal, we are meeting the outstanding provincial side in South Africa for the past few years. They are the Currie Cup holders, they reached the semi-final of the Super 12 just a few weeks ago. It represents a great test and a great challenge for us. But it is also a great opportunity for our players just a week before the first Test. It is up to them to respond."

Although Natal will be without full back Andrew Joubert, out-half Henry Honiball, number eight Gary Teichmann and second row Mark Andrew, all in the Springboks squad, they will have centre Pieter Muller available. He, too, is a squad member but has been released. He was not in the Springboks 21 for the match against Tonga in midweek. Muller is, of course, a former player with Greystones.

The current Natal first choice scrum half is another Springbok, Kevin Putt, a New Zealander, who saw service in the colours of Terenure College before he moved to South Africa and made a big impact. He was injured against Western Province last Sunday and has been ruled out. But his replacement Robert du Preez is a Springboks Test player.

The Test hooking berth now looks to lie between Wood and Barry Williams and Williams has been impressive. So Wood knows he needs a big match today. So too does Miller. "I did not play well on the open side flank last Saturday, but I will be playing at number eight and will feel more comfortable. I certainly feel I am in with a Test chance and will be giving it everything. I am looking forward to the match and I think the conditions will suit me," said Miller.

So Wood and Miller are two of quite a few who go into the match harbouring Test ambitions. The display of Neil Jenkins at full back will be watched with interest. The performances of the centres Allan Bateman and Scott Gibbs should decree who will partner Jeremy Guscott in the Test. The left wing berth is open on the Test side, so Alan Tait gets a chance to impress and Townsend to consolidate his spot at out-half.

The front row is an area where competition for Test places is intense. Simon Shaw now knows he is under considerable pressure from Jeremy Davidson in the second row, and with Scott Quinnell out of the tour, Miller sees his chance to edge out Tim Rodber at number eight.

The torrential rain here on Thursday has taken the bone out of the pitch and Telfer makes the point that the ground conditions will suit the Lions. A win for the Lions would be a tremendous lift, it could, too, be attained but if so it is likely to be hard earned.