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Defector runs away from a section of male body (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

apostate

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'defector' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'runs away from a section of male body' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'away' could be 'a' (abbreviation as used in sports fixtures) and 'a' is located in the answer.
'from' could be 'o' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'o' is present in the answer.
'a' is within the answer.
'section' could be 's' (legal abbreviation) and 's' is present in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for apostate that I've seen before include "Someone who has abandoned their religion" , "One renouncing a belief" , "One losing faith" , "Like rats" , "Person who has renounced former belief" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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