Leading the HSBC World Sevens going into the second half of the series, Pickering is helping to improve the squad's fitness away from the training pitch.

The World, European and Commonwealth gold medallist got in touch with head coach Ben Ryan last year and the two have been in touch since, with Pickering now running regular sessions with Brett Davison, the team's conditioner.

"I was looking at what various other athletes do as part of their training and lots use swimming as part of their rehab but maybe not enough in terms of general fitness," she said.

"A load of sports use swimming but probably don't have enough of a background in it to use it as well as they could.

"I was following some of the players and Ben on Twitter and saw he was taking the guys swimming so I made contact and said 'are you interested in me looking at the swim programme?'

"Brett has a swimming background so he understands the benefits but even so it's been great to extend his knowledge and show different ways you can work someone's arms, work someone's legs, and if you've got a particular injury what you can do so they can still keep fit.

"I can't be around all the time, hopefully they're getting fitter because they're able to do another work-out without any impact or pounding or getting the knocks they get in other sports."

Pickering is hoping to elicit a competitive advantage through working on improving the team's breath control, particularly as games will often be played in sweltering conditions.

"The more they can work on that I think at the end of games – and certainly with back-to-back games –that they should be able to recover their breathing and play for longer without really blowing," she explained.

Davidson added: "Going to places like Hong Kong humidity is a massive issue and Karen's been able to give us some idea about breathing in the pool. The players have definitely struggled to get to the end and there's definitely been a big training effect.

"I'd stand there in a full-piece suit if I could poolside but I don't think I'd cut the same figure as she does.

"They backchat me all the time but the guys gaze intently at her and just do as she says!"

Captain Ben Gollings has been similarly impressed by Pickering's focused training in the pool.

"It's pretty cool being taught to swim by one of the country's best ever swimmers.

"The sessions are a real bonus, there is a rehab side and then after big trips you can really get the body moving but they're also a help towards creating more power, strength work for the legs and to your endurance as well.

"It's off your feet and you're not hammering your body although it is very hard work."

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