Two tries: Tommy Bowe
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France recovered from an eleven-point half-time deficit to seal a 17-17 draw with Ireland in Paris on Sunday.
Declan Kidney's side had put themselves in a strong position going into the break after a try brace from Tommy Bowe stunned les Bleus.
But in a much-improved second-half showing the French found a route back into the fixture and in fact missed two late chances to claim the win.
The draw ends the prospect of a Grand Slam decider between Wales and France on March 17, while Ireland's title aspirations are now over.
France were sluggish throughout the first-half, with their midfield in particular showing signs of sloppiness when Bowe pounced on a wayward pass to ghost over in the thirteenth minute. Jonathan Sexton's easy conversion made it 0-7.
The physical playmaker then added a penalty in reply to France scrum-half Morgan Parra's effort.
Parra, though, quickly made it 6-10 as he kicked a penalty from just inside the Irish half - the ball creeping over the bar and to add insult to injury hitting an unsuspecting Bowe on the head.
Clermont's number nine missed with another opportunity in the 35th minute after Cian Healy became the butt of the French fans frustration when coming back from an offside position he blocked what could have been a try-scoring pass from Aurélien Rougerie.
The Irish then fashioned a try out of nothing. Breaking out of their 22, Keith Earls offloaded to Bowe and the 28-year-old broke one tackle before chipping and outpacing Poitrenaud to score. Sexton's extras went in off the post to give the visitors a 17-6 half-time advantage.
That became 17-9 in the 47th minute as Parra made no mistake from wide out and the lead was reduced further three minutes later when Wesley Fofana's individual brilliance saw him snaffle the ball outside the Irish 22 and using his speed beat full-back Rob Kearney to dive over in the corner. Parra missed the conversion to leave the Irish holding on to a 17-14 lead but he had them all square shortly before the hour mark, landing a long-range penalty.
The Irish ill-fortune continued within seconds as improving scrum-half Conor Murray went to ground clutching his knee and had to be stretchered off to be replaced by Eoin Reddan.
Kidney' side spurned two great chances when Rory Best's throw went askew with the line-out metres from the French line and although they regained possession, centre Gordon D'Arcy knocked on when under no pressure. Scores were beginning to dry up in Paris.
The French also made a mess of trying to end the stalemate as replacement Lionel Beauxis missed his attempt at a drop-goal, as it barely took off before the Irish cleared.
The hosts came back and punched away at the Irish who held strong and, unlike in the 23-21 last minute loss to Wales, didn't concede a penalty and claimed a share of the spoils.
Man of the match: France inside centre Wesley Fofana again demonstrated his potential on the Test scene with an effortless and opportunistic try in the second-half. However, those two tries cannot go unrewarded so we go for Tommy Bowe. A mention for Rob Kearney.
Moment of the match: It has to be when Tommy Bowe collected a short ball on the right wing and then proceeded to chip over the last defender, collect and score his second try of the game. That made it 6-17 with the conversion as things were looking good for Ireland.
Villain of the match: No malice to speak of.
The scorers:
For France:
Try: Fofana
Pen: Parra 4
For Ireland:
Tries: Bowe 2
Con: Sexton 2
Pen: Sexton
France: 15 Clément Poitrenaud, 14 Vincent Clerc, 13 Aurélien Rougerie, 12 Wesley Fofana, 11 Julien Malzieu, 10 François Trinh-Duc, 9 Morgan Parra, 8 Imanol Harinordoquy, 7 Julien Bonnaire, 6 Thierry Dusautoir (c), 5 Yoann Maestri, 4 Pascal Papé, 3 Nicolas Mas, 2 Dimitri Szarzewski, 1 Jean-Baptiste Poux.
Replacements: 16 William Servat, 17 Vincent Debaty, 18 Lionel Nallet, 19 Louis Picamoles, 20 Julien Dupuy, 21 Lionel Beauxis, 22 Maxime Mermoz.
Ireland: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Keith Earls, 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Andrew Trimble, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Sean O'Brien, 6 Stephen Ferris, 5 Paul O'Connell (c), 4 Donncha O'Callaghan, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Rory Best, 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Tom Court, 18 Donnacha Ryan, 19 Peter O'Mahony, 20 Eoin Reddan, 21 Ronan O'Gara, 22 Fergus McFadden.
Referee: Dave Pearson (England)
Comments
Dafydd29 says...
I fully agree that Healy should have been carded for that totally unprofessional and downright dirty obstruction - possibly a penalty try situation - but I don't think anyone has mentioned his cathedral tackle on Clerc early in the game. As Clerc was going down he put his arms out to "fool" the ref (who wasn't looking at much throughout the game), but he definitely dropped him and should have been red carded then.
No Lions tour for such a dirty player.
Posted 07:22 05th March 2012
Centre12 says...
When ever I watch Rob Kearney play he always has a stormer of a game, what a great player, unlucky with injury but on his day he is the best full back in the N.hem easily, it will be interesting to see who wears the 15 Lions test jersey with Foden and Halfpenny, this coming from an loyal English supporter I might add.
Posted 04:35 05th March 2012
Cats_Meow says...
*yawn*
BOOOOOOOOOORIIIIIIIIIIIIING!!
Posted 02:44 05th March 2012
nareikc says...
i hope everyone on this site who were putting the boot into Declan Kidney and the irish team and POC will now front up and admit how wrong they are/were. But i wont hold my breath as these infamous keyboard warriors will now disappear
Posted 01:45 05th March 2012
startledwombat says...
I didn't see the game, I rely on PR's text coverage, and I am not trying to have a go at Northern hemisphere rugby nor the writer of the comment, but surely this number is a misprint?
>Very entertaining game, three counter attacks - great and well done Ireland.
Posted 00:04 05th March 2012
makemehappy says...
A good battle, but not a great show of rugby. Most of the tries came from little skill and a lot of luck.
Kearney yet again showed why he will be the Lions fullback.
Another poor refereeing performance though. A huge number of mistakes! Most minor though. Some examples - a knock on by France, but ignored, and a penalty against Ireland shortly after. A clear professional foul by Ireland with lazy running, and Pearson forgets that had to be a yellow card - the result a missed penalty and shortly after an Ireland try. Not acceptable!
Posted 21:56 04th March 2012
Stag says...
Poor officiating by Wayne barnes for giving a second half lineout to France when Kearney was clearly in the air when he palmed the ball back into play. Why is he there if he can't get those decisions right? Do him and Peter Allan not know the rules of the game or do they just lose the plot under pressure?
Posted 21:49 04th March 2012
Philly says...
thoroughly enjoyable match... That's all I can say....
Posted 21:24 04th March 2012
jontheref says...
munster30
"(Pearson) missed one or two important called. Kearneys keeping the ball in play from Trin-duchs penalty being one. "
Player and ball were in touch, player did not land backin field of play, so ball is out.
It was the TJ Barnes who called it anyway.
But he was correct.
Game both could have won, but neither seemed to want it that badly.
Posted 21:23 04th March 2012
pog_mahone says...
I had written Kearney off a few years ago as a one trick pony, but I don't think I can remember a full back performance from anyone as complete, assured and rounded as Kearney's (including from Kearney). How he didn' get MOTM I don't know.
Other than that, a strong performance all round from Ireland, except Murray's delivery is just too low. Still worrying that France were able to beast the ball up the field (like Wales) when they decided to. Line speed was much improved but they have to lock down the gain line.
Munster30. You shouldn't believe everything Tony Ward says. You have to either start in play (and land in touch) or start in touch (and land in play) for the ball to be considered to be kept in field.
Posted 21:02 04th March 2012
NHsaints says...
France were very poor in the first half, especially swarzeski (or however you spell it) and althought they showed their attacking potential the lack of a positive attitude meant they didn't mix up their penalties enough (eg: should have gone to the corner more). The Lions team is also (assuming form doesn't change and injury permitting) starting to take shape: 1-Healy/Jenkins/Corbisiero, 2- Ford, 3-Cole/Jones, 4- O'connel/Parling, 5-Grey/Lawes, 6-Robshaw/Ferris, 7-Warburton, 8-Faletau, 9- Phillips/Dickson, 10- Sexton/Farrel/Wier/Priestland (still unsure on that one) 11- George North, 12- Roberts/Barritt, 13- Tuilagi/Davies, 14- Bowe, 15- Kearney/Halfpenny (or Foden if he recovers form).
Posted 20:22 04th March 2012
leinster_goy says...
liam2me, why are you even supporting ireland? shouldn't you be rooting for the people's republic of cork(.com)? ;)
Posted 20:21 04th March 2012
pierredelot1 says...
A well deserved draw for Ireland, but lets face it France didn't turn up in the first half. The Irish backrow played more like a team this time and held the French at bay but overall they were probably let down from an attacking point of view by slow service from the base. D'Arcy really is getting past his sell by date, Earls had a good game and made ground but the old boy just aint got it any more, Kearney and Bowe were a tower of strength and I doubt the points would have been on the board without Bowe, for sure. The scrum also creaks mightily at times and yet they hang on by fair means or foul. St A seems to continue with Szarzewski yet the guy does nothing, gives away penalties, gets caught in possession and offers nothing. Masri yet to show his Toulouse form Fine Servat is going soon but he was different class the pack changed character the minute he arrived. Rougerie also showed why he is a wing and not a centre, he can't read anything outside the normal patterns and was poor. Dave Pearson sadly had a poor game, no yellow card to Healy for a blatant off side was the worst but some of his other decisions were marginal to say the least. France have class players they can bring in, but if they continue to start slowly (Same against Scotland) St A is going to have to start kicking butt, Ireland really need a new face in the middle and whilst there back row were heroic, like so many other top teams they seem to operate without a true No 7 (No more Wallaces on the production line) against a more adventurous team they may well have been found out. Lineouts Ireland were 50/50 at best not good for an International side and Sexton needs quicker ball, ROG is getting on and he won't be around for 2015. England next and both teams need to make a statement lets see what the coaches do
Posted 19:50 04th March 2012
Rukrym says...
@liam2me
"Was Sexton even playing? Where was his game management to get a DG to win the game?"
Are you for real?! I can only assume you're trolling but in case you're not - aside from the missed penalty in the first quarter (which in fairness he should have kicked) he scarcely put a foot wrong, and in fact was one of the outstanding players on the pitch. Along with Ferris, Kearney and O'Connell he's one of the Irish players who could have justifiably been given the nod for man of the match. As for your comment about a drop goal, an outhalf doesn't engineer the opportunity to go for a drop goal, the forwards do (which isn't an indictment of the forward play which was exceptional). The match is being replayed on Setanta tonight - I'd suggest you watch it again and perhaps make a more considered (and less biased) assessment if you can.
Secondly, how exactly is the rest of the tournament a "dead rubber"? Is there no merit in aiming for 2nd? It's certainly a realistic prospect and considering seeding for the 2015 RWC is at stake why make needless changes to a team that, based on today's performance, is a quality outfit?? Zebo on the bench for example? The six nations doesn't exist for the purpose of furthering the career of Simon Zebo, nor Peter O'Mahony, nor any other player for that matter. Both are talented players but when and if they're good enough to play then they'll be selected. McFadden is there for very good reason - he's a utility back. He may not be the best centre on the planet, nor the best winger. But he can play, and play well, in 4 different positions - inside centre, outside centre, left and right wing. That kind of versatility is invaluable on the bench. I would have thought that was fairly obvious...
Posted 19:42 04th March 2012
jbscott19 says...
I hope Declan Kidney finally realises it that Darcy is and has not been good enough for international rugby for years.
Ireland centre partnership is the worst ever. If either of them had the bottle to fall on the ball prior the the French try, there would have been no opportunity for the French to score. Darcy chickened out and Earls tried to kick the ball when all they had to do was fall on the ball. Darcy still can't pass a ball.
Is there a case for putting Sexton at 12(his tackling was immense today and Fofana late tackle on him was shoulder first - will he be cited?) with McFadden or Bowe at 13.
Why was O'Brien shaking his head when he was substitited today? He is not playing well and should not complain. He has not made any line breaks for a long time and sorry to say it, there are other form players (Henry/O'Mahoney) who should be considered before him.
Apart from the above, Ireland can be proud of what they achieved today.
Posted 19:35 04th March 2012
caramba13 says...
Well done Ireland: no easy thing to do in Paris. However I feel the killer instinct was not there and they could have, and should have, been more enterprising in the last 20 minutes. The forwards were driving forward ... but their obvious game plan was to get a penalty! Not to create an opportunity for Bowe or Kearney to attack the line! This was the turning point of the game. In the end SOB infringed and the French cleared.
With this sort of mentality - against a side which does not cough up penalties easily - was what lost the win for Ireland.
For Scotland, SOB should drop right out of the 22 and we should get a look at 3 or 4 youngsters.
Posted 19:34 04th March 2012
hewhoknows says...
I wish the leinster players would earn to run with the ball in hand and not knock on. DARCY.. and heaslip. Frustrating game, if Only sexton had kicked his easy first attempt...Kearney was outstanding, the title the "nearly men" comes to mind,O brien second season syndrome very evident. Scotland afford us the oppertunity to "rest" players. O Callaghan, O Brien, Murray,
Posted 19:33 04th March 2012
trooper says...
Good game. Was Ireland's for the taking, but again silly mistakes in the second half cost them. If they could cut out the knock ons and droped balls in the danger zone they would be dangerous. Glad to see Earls have a good game at centre for a change, also the the speed of the line defence was so much better than against Wales. Murray speeded up his service and decision making massively on the Wales game, so disappointing to see his injury, looks like a ruptured ACL to me so will be out for 6 to 9 months. Kearney brilliant again, to give Man of the match to Bowe ahead of him was a mistake by PR.
Posted 19:26 04th March 2012
carpelone says...
Can somebody get rid of that clown Pearson?
As far as the game is concernd, since I do not have anything nice to say, I would not say anything at all.
However, Kearney is the form full back, I think worldwide.
Posted 19:18 04th March 2012
rockman says...
This game was immense! A great ad for the 6 Nations and the game in General.
Posted 18:28 04th March 2012