Crossword Genius

Reluctant States facing end of rule (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

averse

'reluctant' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'states facing end of rule' is the wordplay.
'states' becomes 'avers' (to aver is to declare or state).
'facing' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'end of' indicates one should take the final letters.
The final letter of 'rule' is 'e'.
'avers'+'e'='AVERSE'

(Other definitions for averse that I've seen before include "Disinclined, maybe to hard work" , "Having a strong opposition (to)" , "Loath, reluctant" , "Antipathetic" , "Having a strong dislike" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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