To take us on, perhaps, requires intelligence (4)
I believe the answer is:
nous
'intelligence' is the definition.
(I've seen this in other clues)
'to take us on perhaps' is the wordplay.
'us on' anagrams to 'NOUS'.
However, I'm not sure how this is indicated.
'requires' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for nous that I've seen before include "How the French describe their own" , "Informal common sense" , "Sound practical judgement" , "French common sense" , "Our (French); practical intelligence (colloq.)" .)