CHIEF England swimming coach Dave McNulty believes next month’s Commonwealth Games will prove an exciting opportunity for Jazz Carlin.

The Swindon-born swimmer will be looking to add to her already impressive medal haul from the Commonwealth Games after scooping a gold, two silver medals and a bronze at the two most recent events in Glasgow and Delhi respectively.

Carlin will compete in the 200m and 800m freestyle at this year’s games – hosted on Australia’s Gold Coast – and McNulty revealed the 27-year-old is keen not to miss the opportunity of adding a sixth medal to her tally.

He said: “Jazz is at a different part of her career. Her dream was always to reach the Olympic Games and try to get medals, she’s done that and had a wonderful Olympic Games – two great silver medals.

“At that moment Jazz could’ve said ‘that’s it for me’.

“But what’s she’s doing now is go to the Commonwealth Games with Wales – she loves putting the Welsh tracksuit on.

“Our main focus for the next four years is the 2020 Games in open water. But she didn’t want to miss this opportunity to go to the Commonwealth Games with Wales.

“If she can get on the podium again we’ll be pleased with that.”

Carlin ended a brutal training regime last week as she winds down before the main event gets underway.

The Welsh star would regularly swim 640 25 metre lengths a day to ensure she remained competitive with the world’s best athletes.

And McNulty expects England, Wales and Scotland to face strong competition from host nation Australia, who haven’t enjoyed the success they’ve become accustom to in recent years.

He said: “The biggest rivalry is always Australia for us.

“At the Commonwealth we have England, Scotland and Wales rather than GB, so it’s that little bit harder taking on the Aussies.

“The Canadians are always strong, then there’s the home nations rivalries.

“Australia haven’t had a great last couple of years, they might be hurting a little bit and want to show they’re back. We’ll be there waiting for them.”