Farrell, who is also skipper of Wigan, is currently considering whether to switch to the 15-man code.

Talks are taking place between Farrell's club and the Rugby Football Union, who see Farrell as a potential England star for future RBS 6 Nations championships and the 2007 World Cup.

Robinson, speaking at Twickenham, said: Obviously there are negotiations going on at the moment and we hope it turns out that Andy Farrell becomes a rugby union player but until that happens this is speculation.

But we want him, otherwise we wouldn't have gone into negotiations. We want him to become an England rugby union player.

I have met him on a couple of occasions and he is just an outstanding character.

Watching him play, he is just a phenomenal rugby player and that's how we looked at him.

Robinson revealed the initiative to sign Farrell had been instigated as a group of people by the England coaching team, which also includes assistants Phil Larder, Joe Lydon and Dave Alred - who all have a background in rugby league.

Lydon has both played with - and coached - Farrell, Larder has also coached him and goal-kicking guru Alred also has experience in both codes of the game.

These guys have worked with him and they know about him, said Robinson.

He has great leadership qualities. He is an outstanding rugby player of his generation.

But the England coach added: They are still in negotiations and it could be that he stays in rugby league and therefore that's it, you walk away.

But it could be that he comes to rugby union and that's the time we can talk more about it but obviously we have highlighted him as someone who is an outstanding player. His qualities speak for themselves.