And with the launch of Sony's PlayStation Home -- an online world for the games console -- this autumn, it seems the big players in the entertainment world are banking on virtual realms being part of the future, too.

CNN: Virtual worlds: The next Facebook?

The RFU expects to lose money in a World Cup year, because there are no autumn internationals and only two home games in the Six Nations.

BBC: Rugby Football Union reports ?6.3m loss

England ended the autumn Test series with a record of one win in three games and just one try scored in the process.

BBC: Johnson senses England progress

The channel, to go on air in the autumn, will be available on subscription and show live youth and reserve team games and friendlies - but not Premiership matches.

BBC: Fast facts on Man Utd

Halfpenny had played just seven games for the Cardiff Blues when he was called up for the autumn internationals, making his debut opposite Bryan Habana against South Africa and running in two tries against Canada.

BBC: Halfpenny seeks England revenge

He has started just nine of Guinness Premiership title contenders Sale's 19 games this season, although he was away with Wales for two of them in the autumn, and has come off the bench five times.

BBC: Wales omit Peel for Six Nations

Johnson's squad has been decimated by injuries and at no point in the autumn series did he had a chance to pick his first-choice team, but he insisted the games against Australia, Argentina and New Zealand had been a worthwhile exercise.

BBC: Johnson senses England progress

Through autumn, several walking tours are taking visitors through this regenerated area, to see the structures built specifically for the Games and to experience the neighbourhoods that surround the Olympic and Paralympic Village, where the athletes live.

BBC: Walking London��s Olympic sights