Will home comforts help lift Lions against WP?
Jacques van der Westhuyzen  It is a Lions team missing several first-choice players and they're coming off a first round hammering by the Pumas. These two burning questions will be answered by Cash van Rooyens second stringers when they host a strong Western Province side in a round two Currie Cup match in Doornfontein on Wednesday evening. For various reasons, Van Rooyen has picked a largely second-choice outfit for the match, as was the case last weekend when the Lions got thumped 39-10 by the Pumas in Mbombela. Less than a handful of senior players return for this match, namely lock Ruben Schoeman, hooker Jaco Visagie and scrumhalf Morne van den Berg. Schoeman though is the only one of the trio wholl start (in place of the injured Willem Alberts); the other two will play off the bench. The only other change to the team that played in Mbombela is at tighthead prop where Ruan Dreyer replaces Carlu Sadie. ALSO READ: Boks must front up against Lions bullies, says Mostert  For the rest, it is the same Lions team, which means no Jannie du Plessis, Jaco Kriel, Courtnall Skosan, Burger Odendaal, Roelof Smit, Stean Pienaar and Sti Sithole, while Wandisile Simelane is training with the Springboks. It is understood the players mentioned here are preparing for future matches, including next weeks British and Irish Lions tour opener at Ellis Park, meaning this weeks selected men have to try and restore some pride after last weeks mauling by the Pumas. And that wont be easy against a Province team that beat the Bulls (albeit a weakened Bulls team) at Loftus on Saturday and which now also includes Juarno Augustus in the loose-trio. There is plenty of fire-power up front and strike force at the back in this Province outfit. There is talent aplenty in the Lions team picked by Van Rooyen, but if the vast majority of the players want to push for regular first-team action at the highest level theyre going to have to produce the goods  which they didnt do five days ago. Todays performance will answer that question. Kick-off is 7pm. Lions: EW Viljoen; Jamba Ulengo, Manuel Rass, Dan Kriel, Rabz Maxwane; Fred Zeilinga, Dillon Smit; Francke Horn (capt), Vincent Tshituka, Sibusiso Sangweni; Reinhard Nothnagel, Ruben Schoeman; Ruan Dreyer, PJ Botha, Nathan McBeth. Bench: Jaco Visagie, Banele Mthenjane, Carlu Sadie, Ruhan Straeuli, Emmanuel Tshituka, Morne van den Berg, Aidynn Cupido, Duncan Matthews  Western Province: Tim Swiel, Sergeal Petersen, Rikus Pretorius, Dan du Plessis, Seabelo Senatla, Abner van Reenen, Godlen Masimla, Juarno Augustus, Evan Roos, Marcel Theunissen, David Meihuizen, Ernst van Rhyn (capt), Neethling Fouche, JJ Kotze, Ali Vermaak. Bench (from): Jason Alexander, Leon Lyons, Sazi Sandi, Justin Basson, De Wet Marais, Johan du Toit, Paul de Wet, Cornel Smit, Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, Hacjivah Dayimani, Niel Otto.