TOUR FIXTURES 12 June: NZ v Eng (Dunedin) 19 June: NZ v Eng (Auckland) 26 June: Aus v Eng (Brisbane) England squad revealed

Robinson is one of three players being rested by Woodward for the three-match trip to New Zealand and Australia.

"Jason feels he is running on empty. He told me he's not had a proper break since 1992, and we have to support him.

"Will Greenwood and Ben Kay both wanted to go but I felt that they needed a summer off. They'll be back."

Robinson told the Daily Mail newspaper he had "never felt so physically, mentally and spiritually low".

"As a player you always want to play in the big games but what a lot of people fail to realise is we are not machines and even machines need a service now and then.

"I've been exhausted, running on empty for ages now so the chance to have a decent break is to be welcomed with open arms.

Robinson insisted the break - his first in 12 years - was only temporary.

"Not long after the World Cup I felt like running away but I never thought of quitting international rugby."

He added: "There's so much I have enjoyed about the last year but there's also so much that has burnt me out.

Everybody is writing us off already but that is nothing new Will Greenwood Read Greenwood's comments

Robinson said the demands of domestic and international rugby had also been affecting his personal life.

"I can't meet the demands that people are putting on me and my family have been suffering the consequences - they have to cope when I come home all moody."

He added: "Of course not going on the tour means letting someone else take my place but I don't see it as a risk. Every time an England team is announced you have doubts about whether you are going to be in."

The three-Test trip comes at the end of a long and punishing season and England will be without almost half of their victorious World Cup squad due to injury and retirements.

But Woodward is upbeat about what lies ahead.

"It's a huge challenge at the end of a great season, and it is fantastic to be going down there," said England's head coach.

"It is a great place to go on tour. You want to go to the toughest place and play, and we are looking forward to it.

"I think that the best thing we can do is to go down there and go head to head with the best teams in the world."

England leave for New Zealand on 2 June, and Woodward will be hoping that several front-line players retain full fitness during the next fortnight, especially the 15-strong contingent from Bath and Wasps, who meet each other in the Zurich Premiership final on 29 May.