Crossword Genius

The rigour of a difficult craft (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hardship

'the rigour' is the definition.
('hardship' can be a synonym of 'rigour')

'a difficult craft' is the wordplay.
'a difficult' becomes 'hard' (I've seen this before).
'craft' becomes 'ship' (ship is a kind of craft).
'hard'+'ship'='HARDSHIP'

'of' is the link.

(Other definitions for hardship that I've seen before include "distress" , "Severe difficulty or suffering" , "Difficulty, vicissitude" , "Austerity - affliction" , "Adversity, misfortune" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Independent.
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