Rowing crew had a meal, some would say (5)

I believe the answer is:

eight

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'rowing crew' is the definition.
(crew of eight rowers)

I can't explain the remainder of the clue.

(Other definitions for eight that I've seen before include "Two cubed" , "Oxygen's atomic number" , "One over it and you were drunk, it was said" , "Number in a Boat Race crew" , "Carmina Burana composer" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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