Crossword Genius

Scrap outside local in France say (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

republic

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'france say' is the definition.
(France is a republic)

'scrap outside local' is the wordplay.
'scrap' becomes 'relic' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'outside' is an insertion indicator.
'local' becomes 'pub' (one's local pub).
'relic' enclosing 'pub' is 'REPUBLIC'.

'in' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for republic that I've seen before include "France, for example, is one" , "Cuba, say" , "See 17" , "Non-monarchical state" , "Plato's ideal state" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.
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