Romantic country sport played in tiara (9)
I believe the answer is:
ruritania
'romantic country' is the definition.
(fictional country in Anthony Hope romances)
'sport played in tiara' is the wordplay.
'sport' becomes 'ru' (rugby union).
'played' is an anagram indicator.
'in'+'tiara'='intiara'
'intiara' anagrammed gives 'ritania'.
'ru'+'ritania'='RURITANIA'
(Other definitions for ruritania that I've seen before include "Fictional land of romance" , "mythical land" , "romantic spot" , "Land of Hope ..." , "world of romance?" .)