Former England rugby player Jason Robinson has admitted that he once considered taking his own life during a troubled time.

The World Cup winner has revealed that he contemplated suicide after being arrested for affray, assault and criminal damage.

In a episode of ITV4's Sports Life Stories, the 40-year-old opened up about a drinking problem that he suffered with in the early days of his career at rugby league club Wigan.

Robinson went on to say that if it weren't for former teammate Va'aiga Tuigamala, then he would still feel hopeless.

"I can remember I just sat in my bedroom with an old knife, an old meat cleaver," said Robinson. "I didn't want life to go on in this way. That night when I contemplated doing it, I wept like a baby.

"Had it not been for [Tuigamala], coming into the environment I was in and putting a different slant on it, I certainly wouldn't have the hope that I've got now. And hope is something that people can't take away."

The episode will be aired this evening at 10pm.