'That was the intention after Paris': Canada's Daniels eyes Test rugby honours

Last weekend in Vancouver, Chloe Daniels played her first sevens game for Canada since the 2024 Olympic Games gold medal match at the Stade de France.

That evening in Paris could have been a lifetime ago. Although the memories are never too far away.

The image of Daniels being hoisted in the air by teammate Florence Symonds at full-time of their quarter-final win over France will live long in the memory. Draped around her neck is a gold chain with the Olympic rings on it, which was gifted to the 22-year-old by her parents.

Just a couple of months after she came back to Canada with a silver medal in tow Daniels sustained an ACL injury in action for Queens University. It was in the first five minutes of her third game back on home soil.

Her rehabilitation took around a year. Last Autumn the playmaker returned for the Gaels as they won the OUA Women’s Rugby Championship and led the side to a third-place finish in the U SPORTS Championship from fly-half.

Shortly after that collegiate season ended Daniels signed for Premiership Women’s Rugby club Bristol Bears. Even though the 22-year-old is targeting Test match rugby honours, the pull of rugby sevens was still strong and a home HSBC SVNS Series tournament at BC Place was far too good to turn down.

“I was excited to see all the Paris girls,” Daniels told RugbyPass. “Then some new faces and the girls I played with at school this last year.

“I feel like we’ve changed our style of play a bit. It’s been really fun to integrate into that and see the team that Joc (Jocelyn Barrieau, head coach) has brought in for this cycle – a very fast, creative style of play. That has been really fun to join into.”

At the tournament Canada were left frustrated. When Day 2 finished Daniels and her teammates had finished fifth as a difficult first day derailed any really chance of a first-ever title at the tournament.

There was bad news too for head coach Barrieau, who lost Piper Logan, Keyara Wardley and team captain Carissa Norsten to injury, while Daniels and Claire Gallagher returned to their PWR clubs.

While Bristol are not in action this weekend, Daniels’ return to England allows the 22-year-old to get back to her pursuit of a 15s cap this year and after making her international rugby return last weekend, the prospect of debuting for Kévin Rouet’s team in the Pacific Four Series next month is the sole thing on her mind.

In fact, if it were not for her ACL injury, there is a chance that Daniels could have played for Canada at last year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup.

“That was the intention after Paris, to get into 15s and buy into that One Squad mentality and be able to play as much rugby as possible,” Daniels said.

Daniels does not deny that it was the 15-a-side format of the game that allowed her to fall in love with rugby.

 

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The versatile back, who is capable of playing fly-half or full-back, would not be entirely new to Rouet’s set-up either.

In 2022, Daniels was one of several travelling reserves that went to New Zealand for the delayed 2021 Rugby World Cup. There, alongside fellow reserves Maya Monteil, Cindy Nelles, Abby Duguid, Hanna Slevinsky and Renee Gonzalez, she got to experience what it was like to compete at the top firsthand as a 19-year-old. It was an incredibly instructive time in Daniels’ life.

“I’ve grown up playing 15s with a club, provincially and I’ve been around the 15s environment quite a bit,” the 22-year-old said.

“I was at the World Cup in New Zealand as a practice player. I’ve always really enjoyed it.

“It was a really good experience because I kind of got to see how important everyone’s role is. I may have been playing in a lesser role, but I was still hopping in at any position they needed and trying to support the girls as much as possible.

“Plus, it was so cool just to be at a World Cup and watch how all the girls did, and seeing how it works and the pressures of big competition.

“It’s such a different style of rugby, but such a fun style that is maybe a bit more skilful and strategic.”

Daniels will return to action for Bristol in Round 15 of the 2025/26 PWR campaign when Scott Lawson’s team travel to Sale Sharks.

Both clubs have enjoyed a resurgent second half of the season. Coming into Round 14, Sharks have won three games in a row. Bristol, who only won one game before the winter break, are now unbeaten in four of their past five matches.

For the first time in her career Daniels has had the opportunity to play with players from other nations. Playing alongside world-class talent like Ruahei Demant, Sarah Bern and Keira Bevan will only benefit the 22-year-old long-term.

“It’s been awesome,” Daniels said. “Since I’ve come in in the New Year, I think everyone has just put their head down and wanted some different outcomes.

“There were some unfortunate injuries in the first half of the season, but the consensus felt like everyone was very connected and really on the same page to turn it around.

 

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“I have nothing put amazing things to say about the girls and players. They’re very hard-working. Very welcoming. And really willing to work for those wins.

“Ruahei is a class player and an awesome person. She’s probably the most humble person I’ve ever met that is so good at rugby. It has been cool to learn from her and pick her brain and ask her questions.

“Playing outside Emma Orr is another that has been really fun. She can pull off some crazy, crazy things on the pitch. It is super valuable to be in that environment and learn from those international players.”