Crossword Genius

Game for which you need a warm cover handy (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

rugby

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'game' is the definition.
(rugby is a sport or game)

'a warm cover handy' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'cover' could be 'rug' (rug is a kind of cover) and 'rug' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'by' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'for which you need' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for rugby that I've seen before include "Town in Warwickshire" , "Game with oval ball" , "Game; town" , "Type of football; school" , "Try game?" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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