Cipriani appeared to be heading for a glittering international career with England before a career-threatening ankle injury and broken leg restricted his appearances. But after making full recoveries he found himself exiled to the Saxons squad while his relationship with model Kelly Brook saw his profile elevated.

Cipriani found himself marginalised under Martin Johnson amid reports his public profile and attitude had put him on a collision course with England's management.

"I get scrutinised differently to other rugby players, which is okay, but there is so much negativity. I don't want to be around it anymore," Cipriani told The Guardian. "I don't want this to be the headline but there were times when I thought about quitting. I just thought: 'Is it worth it? Should I be doing something else?'

"I feel privileged to earn a living from rugby but with everything I was getting there were times when it just felt like a job. And it annoys me that happened because this is something I love. I get scrutinised differently to other rugby players, which is okay, but there is so much negativity.

"I don't want to be around it anymore. I don't want this to be the headline but there were times when I thought about quitting. I just thought: 'Is it worth it? Should I be doing something else?' I feel privileged to earn a living from rugby but with everything I was getting there were times when it just felt like a job. And it annoys me that happened because this is something I love."

Robinson joins the Tigers after 111 games with Bristol following a move to the Memorial Stadium in 2005, having recently failed to win promotion from the Championship.

"It's obviously disappointing to finish the season the way we did at Bristol, but this is a new challenge at a massive club and it is one I am looking forward to," he said. "I met the coaching staff and had a look around at Leicester, I was very impressed with the set-up and I am very happy to make the move to Tigers."