Crossword Genius

Country exercise before game (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

peru

'country' is the definition.
(I know that Peru is South American country)

'exercise before game' is the wordplay.
'exercise' becomes 'pe' (Physical Education).
'before' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'game' becomes 'ru' (rugby union).
'pe'+'ru'='PERU'

(Other definitions for peru that I've seen before include "Nazca, Cuzco here" , "South American republic" , "Paddington Bear's country of birth" , "Andes republic" , "Machu Picchu country" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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