Nails clause, reportedly? (6)

I believe the answer is:

talons

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'nails' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

(Other definitions for talons that I've seen before include "Sharp hooked claws" , "Claws of a bird" , "Sharply hooked claws" , "Hooked claws of birds of prey" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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