World Cup winner Robinson admits suicidal thoughts

Jason Robinson scored a try in the 2003 final. Credit: PA

Rugby legend Jason Robinson has admitted he contemplated suicide following being arrested for violent offences.

World Cup winner Robinson told Sports Life Stories, which will be broadcast on ITV4 at 10pm on Tuesday, he had been heavy drinker during his early days at rugby league club Wigan, which almost led to his downfall.

Robinson said: "I got into a situation where I was drinking sometimes six nights a week.

"Monday it was Wakefield, 10 pence a pint night. Tuesday I would be over to Liverpool, Wednesday it would be Oldham. Thursday it would be Wigan. And after the game we would go out wherever."

Va'aiga Tuigamala helped Robsinson. Credit: PA

After being arrested for affray, assault and criminal damage Robinson consider a suicide attempt and he credits then team-mate and Samoa star Va'aiga Tuigamala for changing his life.

"I can remember I just sat in my bedroom with an old knife, an old meat cleaver," he recalled.

"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 him (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."

  • Watch Sports Life Stories on ITV4 at 10pm