More tough playful critters (8)
I believe the answer is:
stricter
'more tough' is the definition.
'playful critters' is the wordplay.
'playful' indicates anagramming the letters.
'critters' with letters rearranged gives 'STRICTER'.
(Other definitions for stricter that I've seen before include "More rigorous" , "Sterner or more unyielding" .)
I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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