France shrugged off a poor first-half performance to draw 17-17 at home to Ireland in the Six Nations Sunday, ending its hopes of a Grand Slam and leaving Wales alone at the top of the standings. Ireland had only won twice in France in the past 40 years, and not at Stade de France since 2000, but a victory looked there for the taking after winger Tommy Bowe's two tries put the Irish 17-6 up at halftime. France failed to show much attacking creativity, and profited from an Ireland lapse in midfield to get back into the game when center Wesley Fofana scored his third try in consecutive games early in the second half. France needed the steady kicking of scrumhalf Morgan Parra, who landed all four of his penalties, to escape with a point. “We're very disappointed with the result, although we came back into it well,” France captain Thierry Dusautoir said.
