Crossword Genius

Tug circled by cruisers getting bow clipped — that's inauspicious (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

untoward

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

'inauspicious' is the definition.
(I know that inauspicious can be written as untoward)

'tug circled by cruisers getting bow clipped' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'tug' could be 'tow' (I've seen this before) and 'tow' is located in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'that's' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for untoward that I've seen before include "Inconvenient, unfortunate" , "Unfortunate or unfavourable" , "Adverse - out of the ordinary" , "Wound rat (anag.)" , "Inappropriate, undesirable" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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