The former England captain, 2003 World Cup winner and Test Lion intends to quit the domestic game in Sale Sharks’ Premiership clash against Bath at Edgeley Park on April 13.

However, he will continue to be available for England throughout this summer and for the World Cup in September and October.

If selected for England’s World Cup defence he intends retiring from the sport completely after that tournament is over.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Sale Sharks, but the time has come to move on to other things,” said Robinson, who has won 43 caps and scored 26 Test tries.

“I want my last game for Sale Sharks to be a home game, and I want to be able to say a big thank you to the supporters of this great club.”

The 32-year-old joined Sale from Wigan in November 2000 and scored a try on his debut against Rotherham, making 531 appearances in both codes of the game.

In the Premiership, he has scored 31 tries in 110 games and his crowning glory with Sale came when they landed their first league title last season.

Robinson had retired from international rugby in September 2005 but returned to the fold for this season’s RBS 6 Nations Championship and performed as though he had never been away.

The Sale wing scored four tries in four appearances, including a double in the Twickenham opener against Scotland, and is likely to remain a key part of England head coach Brian Ashton’s plans this year.

Although the likes of Cueto, David Strettle and Josh Lewsey will be among those challenging for wing berths, Robinson’s RBS 6 Nations form suggests he could still arrive at the World Cup as first choice left-wing.

England travel to South Africa for a two-Test tour in May and June, then face World Cup warm-up games during August against Wales and France (twice) before beginning their World Cup defence against the USA in Lens on September 8.