between 1999 and 2002, robinson made 14 appearances for the england under-21s. he was first included in the full international squad by peter taylor in a friendly against italy on 15 november 2000, where he was an unused substitute. his next appearance on the england bench came two years later, under new manager sven-göran eriksson, who selected him for a friendly match against portugal on 7 september 2002, where he once again remained an unused substitute. he won his first cap in a 3–1 defeat against australia on 12 february 2003, a match notable for the entire england team being substituted at half-time (at which point robinson was brought on in place of david james). he won three more caps that year, all in friendlies, and on all occasions he was brought on at half-time. he made his first international start in a 6–1 victory over iceland on 5 june 2004, with the match being england's final match before the uefa euro 2004 finals. robinson was part of england's euro 2004 squad, selected as an understudy to david james, although he made no appearances in the tournament.