The lot, ie first six are friends (6)
I believe the answer is:
allies
'are friends' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'the lot ie first six' is the wordplay.
'the lot' becomes 'all' (I've seen this in another clue).
'first six' becomes 's' (ast letter of 'six').
'all'+'ie'+'s'='ALLIES'
(Other definitions for allies that I've seen before include "Friends in a cause" , "They are banded together for mutual support" , "'Friendly, helpful nations (6)'" , "Formally cooperating countries" , "Countries working together" .)