Sport Richardt Strauss could return to the Ireland squad for the Six Nations following his rapid recovery from heart surgery

Schmidt coached Strauss at Leinster and believes that his return is a bonus for Ireland ahead of the Six Nations campaign

The Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art: bi-weekly shows by the dancing horses

A moorish tapas crawl in Jerez

The Hedonist - what to see and where to be seen

Quiz: How much do you know about Christmas number ones?

Sam Bailey has been crowned the winner of X Factor 2013, but ever since Rage Against the Machine raged against the Cowell machine (in terms of Christmas sales), it’s not the guaranteed number one spot it was only a few years ago.

Anthony Rose: 'Forget ancient vicars and maiden aunts - Drakes Tabanco's sherries are fresh and innovative'

Missing the recent London Sherry Trail – aka tapas bar crawl – didn't prevent me from taking in the new sherry and cava bar phenomenon that's adding a dimension to the growing tapas scene. Following Bar Pepito, Rosita and Copa de Cava comes Drakes Tabanco in central London. Tim Luther and Nigel Howell's authentic tavern serves excellent Fernando de Castilla sherries from the cask and sells them to take away.

Grieg Laidlaw of Edinburgh celebrates after they defeat two-time Heineken Cup winners Munster

Edinburgh 29 Munster 23 match report: Late Tim Visser try stuns two-time European champions

Casey Laulala and Mike Sherry had cancelled out Matt Scott's opener for the Scots, who record their first Heineken Cup victory in 18 months

Corinthians keep Chichester memories alive

Gathering in Queen Anne’s Battery, Plymouth, home of the Royal Western Yacht Club of England, is a group of sailors far removed from the professional and grand prix circuit.

Major air and sea search operation under way after couple fall overboard off Australia

Despite couple being missing for more than 24 hours police say there is still hope the couple may be alive

Football and Manchester United are in Sir Alex Ferguson's veins

Time for Sir Alex Ferguson to consider new goals - for the sake of his wellbeing

Stepping down from a job is a challenge for mere mortals - the loss of status, structure and income can have a grave psychological impact. For a football god it will be much harder.

Clermont Auvergne 16 Munster 10 match report: Paul O'Connell's grit drives brave Munster close

Clermont survive late Irish fightback to reach Heineken Cup final as province fall just short

The juiciest cuts: Mark Hix cooks with succulent and nutty acorn-fed Iberico pork

In the UK, unfortunately, we don't have an annual pig slaughter, but in Spain the animal is a little more revered and many Andalucian families still carry out the traditional celebratory matanza. This involves killing the animals humanely and dissecting the various cuts and curing and brining them to ensure that the family has a supply of good-quality meat to last through the year.

Pork cheeks with sherry

Pork cheeks with sherry

Serves 4

Pakistan's minorities are under attack and the country's blasphemy laws must share the blame

The accusation alone of blasphemy has led to violence that has claimed countless lives. And the cases themselves are usually about something else

Harriet Walker: Whatever happened to New Year karma?

I never know what I'm going to do on New Year's Eve. That is, I can take a very vague guess: what I presume I will do is lie around for most of the day, then go somewhere, get drunk, wonder what all the fuss was about and go to sleep fully clothed round my friend's house.

Ten reasons why I hate Santa

1. He gave me an illuminated globe for Christmas when I was 11. Who gives an 11-year-old boy an illuminated globe? Why did I get that while Adam - who was a really nasty piece of work - got Reebok trainers and a Sega Mega Drive?

In the swing: Saracens’ Owen Farrell kicks the last-minute penalty

Farrell's boot a bonus for Sarries despite defeat

Munster 15 Saracens 9

world cup 2014A history of the third-place play-offs
peopleDrummer Tommy was last surviving member of seminal band
Life and Style
Swimsuit, £245, by Agent Provocateur


world cup 2014
Life and Style
lifeHere's one answer to an inquisitive Reddit user's question
Life and Style
transfersBony, Benzema and the other transfer targets
Yaya Touré has defended his posturing over his future at Manchester City
Career Services

Day In a Page

Independent Travel Shop See all offers »
India and Nepal
14 nights from £2,159pp Find out more
Dutch Masters
five nights from £679pp Find out more
La Robla and Rioja
nine nights from £1599pp Find out more
Classical Spain
six nights from £539pp Find out more
California and the Golden West
14 nights from £1,599pp Find out more
three nights from £259pp Find out more

A History of the First World War in 100 Moments

Scottish independence: How the Commonwealth Games could swing the vote

Scottish independence: How the Commonwealth Games could swing the vote


A writer spends a night on the streets


UK's railways are entering a new golden age


Conchita becomes a 'bride' on Paris catwalk

Alexander Fury salutes the Eurovision Song Contest winner's latest triumph
Pétanque World Championship in Marseilles hit by

Pétanque 'world cup' hit by death threats


Why did we stop eating whelks?

10 best women's sunglasses

In the shade: 10 best women's sunglasses








A History of the First World War in 100 Moments

The German people demand an end to the fighting

New play reveals what Oscar Wilde said at trials

Can scientists save the world's sea life from

Can scientists save our sea life?


Richard III review

Martin Freeman’s psychotic monarch is big on mockery but wanting in malice