Crossword Genius

Lord’s debutant role? Old member of Lords welcoming new (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

opener

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

'lord's debutant role?' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'old member of lords welcoming new' is the wordplay.
'old' becomes 'o' (common abbreviation eg in OE for Old English).
'member of lords' becomes 'peer' (I've seen this before).
'welcoming' is an insertion indicator (in sense of 'inviting in').
'new' becomes 'n'.
'peer' enclosing 'n' is 'pener'.
'o'+'pener'='OPENER'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for opener that I've seen before include "introduction" , "Key -- one of two batsman in a side" , "Kitchen item" , "Batsman number one" , "Device for accessing contents of tins or bottles" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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