Robinson led Sale to the Premiership title last year

Robinson said he could be tempted to come out of international retirement, after quitting Test rugby a year ago.

"I would rather he didn't but he certainly could," De Vos told Five Live's Sportsweek programme.

"He is playing as well as he has ever done and he is probably fitter and stronger than he has ever been."

Robinson, a try-scorer in the World Cup final victory over Australia in 2003, retired from England duty last September to spend more time with his family.

If a call comes from England he will probably ask us if he can go Sale chief Niels de Vos

"You never say never," he said recently. "There is a complete new regime in place and it is an exciting time to be involved.

"I am just looking forward to playing for Sale Sharks and if a call arrives from England, who knows?"

Asked if the Sharks would let him go, De Vos said: "I think that is probably true, yes."

"I think he showed last year in the big matches he is still the man to come up with big performances," he added.

"So the call may come and if it does, he wouldn't let England down. But I hope he stays with us because he is our captain and our main man.

It's been tough since I retired to see England struggle Jason Robinson

"Jason is desperate to win the Heineken Cup with Sale and this is the last year of his current contract. I think he will be keen to put Sale first but if a call comes from England he will probably ask us if he can go and we will take a view then."

Robinson, 32, led Sale to the Guinness Premiership title last season but his form had tailed off prior to his decision to exit the international arena.

He endured a miserable Lions tour to New Zealand last summer and was dropped for the first time in his union career after the second Test.

England's hopes of defending their world crown have been undermined by a run of five straight defeats but Robinson insists there is still time to halt the slide.

"It's been tough since I retired from international rugby to see the team struggle," he added.

"But I am sure that England will bounce back and will be a force in next year's World Cup in France."