Crossword Genius

Sport played by doctor in old city incites gossip (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

rumour

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'gossip' is the definition.
(I know that rumour is a type of gossip)

'sport played by doctor in old city incites' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'sport' could be 'ru' (rugby union) and 'ru' is found in the answer.
'doctor' could be 'mo' (medical officer) and 'mo' is present in the answer.
'city' could be 'ur' (ancient Sumerian city state) and 'ur' is present in the answer.
No letters remain.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for rumour that I've seen before include "Story going around" , "buzz" , "What "a little bird" tells you?" , "Information that may well not be true" , "Unconfirmed gossip" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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