Crossword Genius

Lifeless rugby forward in stalemate (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

deadlock

'stalemate' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'lifeless rugby forward' is the wordplay.
'lifeless' becomes 'dead' (similar in meaning).
'rugby forward' becomes 'lock' (lock is an example).
'dead'+'lock'='DEADLOCK'

'in' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for deadlock that I've seen before include "tie" , "Impasse, standoff" , "Stalemate - impasse" , "Something opened by a key - stalemate" , "Intractable problem" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.
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