Tense deadlock in Paris showdown

Two first-half tries from Tommy Bowe meant that France had to fight back to salvage a 17-17 draw with Ireland in their Six Nations clash in Paris on Sunday.

In the final minute, in the rain, time up on the clock, big, fast Julien Malzieu raced down the left touchline for the corner but somehow Rob Kearney, helped by Tommy Bowe, got him to end the his chances at the corner by shoving him into touch and the final whistle settled the match for a draw. Ireland's skins were saved and yet Paul O' Connell, their noble captain, stomped off looking disgruntled, clearly dissatisfied with the draw. It was a match Ireland could well have won.

After all they scored two tries to one and led 17-6 at half-time but in the second half they did not score a point while in a period of 10 minutes France scored 11 points. But in the last 23 minutes, when for a long period Ireland were ascendant, France ended stronger and twice, great drop-goal expert Lionel Beauxis, who had replaced Clement Poitrenaud and came into flyhalf with François Trinh-Duc miving to fullback, missed two drop attempts.

Ireland were the more penalised of the two sides, 12-4 against them. In the second half France were penalised for the only time two minutes before the end. It is clear that there is a vast difference between regulating the tackle in the Six Nations and the way it is regulated in Super Rugby, but at the tackle the referee seemed to have a 'No problem' slogan.

Stade de France on Test rugby day is a wonderful place even in the rain with its colourful, cheerful crowd and the Marseillaise ringing out. At the end, with France on the attack, there was a French scrum, and the Marseillaise rang out hymn-like. The scrum collapsed and was reset and so the Marseillaise was sung again with even greater fervour. It's so special.

The weather was not great this time with lots of rain but not as cold as when the first match was postponed and at a more sensible time of day.

The game started off at a cracking pace and went on for over two minutes before the first stoppage. In the first half Ireland were quite the better side, far livelier and more alert and intent than the French whose second-halfl approach would be much livelier.

Ireland had the first chance to score but Jonathan Sexton pulled a straightforward kick well wide.

Big, impressive newboy, Yoann Maestri won a line-out at the front and France went left with long passes. Experienced Aurélien Rougerie passed a long pass towards fullback Clément Poitrenaud but straight to Tommy Bowe who had an easy 40-metre run to the posts and a try. Ireland led 7-0 after 12 minutes. This was not Rougerie's only error in the match, just his worst.

François Trinh-Duc set France on a sharp attack. Imanol Harinordoquy carried it on and Keith Earle went offside. Morgan Parra made the score 7-3 after 23 minutes but three minutes later France were penalised at a scrum and Sexton goaled. 10-3, but when France destroyed an Irish scrum Parra made it 10-6.

Sean O'Brien won Ireland a turnover off Dimitri Szarzewski near the half-way line on their far left and went far right, giving Bowe an overlap. The wing raced ahead, kicked, gathered and scored. Sexton converted off an upright. 17-6, which was the half-time score.

France spent much of the  half-time break on the field limbering up and then they got stuck into the Irish. They mauled well against Ireland and a penalty at the maul took the score to 17-9 after 47 minutes. Then came their try.

Parra passed poorly and the ball was awkward on the ground but Trinh-Duc snapped a pass from the ground to Wesley Fofana and the centre raced 30 metres or more to score. 17-14 after 52 minutes.

Five minutes later Cian Healy was penalised at a tackle and Parra made it 17-all with 23 minutes to play.

Ireland seemed overwhelmed but after that score they found new energy and they were the ones who attacked while France defended manfully. Kearney had the best run of the day down the middle of the field and Sexton had a sharp break but an overthrown line-out and a simple knock-on by Gordon D'Arcy ended the Irish challenge and France were back attacking, and it was Ireland's turn to defend manfully.

Beauxis dropped and the ball went along the ground for a soccer goal. Beauxis dropped and Stephen Ferris charged it down. With two minutes to play Maestri was penalised at a tackle and Ireland kicked out. They won the line-out but Jamie Heaslip knocked on. Scrum to France. Time was up. The scrum collapsed and was reset and then France went left for Malzieu to give the impression that he would score the winning try, frustrated at the corner.

Man of the Match: Rob Kearney. His display was masterful. His fielding of the high ball was miraculous. His decision-making was accurate. He ran so well, kicked so well and then it was his effort that saved the match at the end.

Moment of the Match: All three of the tries were excellent with a surprise element that took the breath away but there was something spectacular and acrobatic by Rob Kearney's catching of his own kick under the nose of Imanol Harinordoquy. It spoke volumes for the fullback's skill and determination.

Villain of the Match: Nobody.

The scorers:

For France:
Try: Fofana
Pens: Parra 4

For Ireland:
Tries: Bowe 2
Cons: Sexton 2
Pen: Sexton

Teams:

France: 15 Clement Poitrenaud, 14 Vincent Clerc, 13 Aurelien Rougerie, 12 Wesley Fofana, 11 Julien Malzieu, 10 Francois Trinh-Duc, 9 Morgan Parra, 8 Imanol Harinordoquy, 7 Julien Bonnaire, 6 Thierry Dusautoir (captain), 5 Yoann Maestri, 4 Pascal Papé, 3 Nicolas Mas, 2 Dimitry 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 (captain), 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)
Assistant referees: Wayne Barnes (England), Andrew Small (England)
TMO: Geoff Warren (England)