This week, Real Madrid's current cast of mercenaries is getting its sternest test yet.

WSJ: Real Madrid's Bid for World Domination

Some of its sternest critics believe the government will get its way in the New Year.

BBC: Are secret courts one step closer?

Many of the sternest Islamic regimes give men absolutely no choice in the matter.

ECONOMIST: Hair, beards and power

Top-of-the-table Walsall faced their sternest test to their proud run at the weekend when they played second-placed Wycombe.

BBC: CHOOSE A SPORT

Mr Monti faces his sternest test since he formed his technocratic government to replace Silvio Berlusconi's in November.

ECONOMIST: Italy��s reforms

His 2002 team has done little wrong so far, but their sternest test came in that breath-taking 2-2 draw with the Russians last Saturday.

BBC: Form favours the favourites

They face a London derby at Spurs on 17 April, also entertain Stoke a week later, and then face possibly the sternest test of their title ambitions at Liverpool on 1 May.

BBC: Man Utd title hopes dealt a blow - Sir Alex Ferguson

Hammersmith's Groves was given the sternest test of his unbeaten 10-fight career, climbing off the canvas in the third round and relying on animal instinct to stop his fellow unbeaten prospect in the sixth round.

BBC: David Haye stops Audley Harrison to retain WBA title

And in the clubby atmosphere of the House of Commons, where he sat for 36 years (but only five as a minister), even his sternest critics were reluctant to call him a racist, a British Le Pen.

ECONOMIST: Enoch Powell

Slovakia hardly provided the sternest of tests, but England got the job done with the minimum of fuss and Capello can now turn his attentions to making it five wins out of five in a hitherto flawless World Cup campaign.

BBC: England 4-0 Slovakia