Challenge the French following direction taken in argument (6)
I believe the answer is:
tackle
'challenge the french' is the definition.
'tackle' can be an answer for 'challenge' (I've seen this before). I'm not sure about the 'the french' bit.
'direction taken in argument' is the wordplay.
'direction' becomes 'tack' (tack is a kind of direction).
'taken in argument' becomes 'le' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'tack'+'le'='TACKLE'
'following' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for tackle that I've seen before include "In rugby, intercept opponent running with ball" , "Go for the person with the ball" , "A rugby interception" , "Grapple with - ship's running rigging" , "Take on as in rugby" .)