England ace Jason Robinson has announced he is quitting international rugby union in order to spend more time with his family. The winger, a member of England's Rugby World Cup-winning squad in 2003, came to the game after making his name in rugby league.
"The time has arrived to put my family and my wife before the England team," Robinson told the Mail on Sunday.
"My children want their Daddy, not some so-called superstar."
Robinson's shock decision comes just days before the squad is named for the autumn Test series.
 | JASON ROBINSON FACTFILE 1974: Born in Leeds on 30 July 1992: Makes his Wigan debut against Hull 1993: Named young player of the year, wins first Challenge Cup medal and makes Great Britain debut 2000: Makes Sale debut 2001: Makes England debut v Italy and is selected for Lions tour of Australia 2003: Helps England win Six Nations Grand Slam and Rugby World Cup 2004: Appointed captain of Sale Sharks and named England captain 2005: Suffers thumb injury and is ruled out of part of Six Nations. Selected for the first two Lions Tests, but dropped for the final Test |
The 31-year-old Sale Sharks star made his international debut against Italy in February 2001.
He captained England in last November's international against Canada at Twickenham, becoming the first rugby league convert to skipper England.
However, England lost their first three matches of the RBS 6 Nations Championship - their worst record since 1987 - and Robinson was ruled out of the remainder of the tournament with a torn ligament in his right thumb.
But the player still believes he could still be an asset to coach Andy Robinson.
"Physically, I know I still have a lot to offer England so, in many ways this was a hard decision for me to make," he said.
"I didn't want to let Andy, or any of the England guys down but the pull of my family proved greater.
"I've got five children and a beautiful wife and it's time for them to be placed first."
MMIX
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