CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Stewart endlessly refined, yet least refined (6)

4 When soldiers get prepared, one runs out (3,5)

9 One who swerves in Scottish 1st XV (6)

10 In Scottish 1st XV, heard friend touch down (8)

12 Distributes rugby rules regarding rucks (5,3)

13 Knight in armour stands before a capital (6)

15 Sources of inspiration gained in, for example, an island (4)

16 Foul shoes? A doctor sponges (4,6)

19 Hustler and butcher in Scottish 1st XV (10)

20 Rolling maul for Scot Price? (4)

23 Try keys again, opening religious education class (6)

25 Ew! R.E.M. red reverses van

XV (3,5)

27 Freon gas dispersed by brothers in Scottish 1st XV (8)

28 A river’s banks in his island in Scottish 1st XV (6)

29 Imagine alternate music broadcast in Scottish 1st XV (8)

Crossworder’s heart not as involved in Scottish 1st XV (6) in Scottish 1st

DOWN

1 Guy who makes films in Scottish 1st XV (7)

2 Combat strength protected close to action, requiring no fire after sunset (4,5)

3 Jenny’s ashes scattered close to Cairngorms (3-3)

5 Magyar Gábor taking a turn inside in Scottish 1st XV (4)

6 Fast Show gamekeeper admitting to catch nothing with four limbs (8)

7 Frozen seamstress outside a place of vice? (5)

8 Rubbish tips concealing taped criminal in Scottish 1st XV (7)

11 Rugby Union’s trade in Scottish 1st XV (7)

14 A North-east England team has ground removed in bits (7)

17 Sunroof with both sides shattered by great big vases (5,4)

18 Badly lip-read old Italian poet/philosopher (8)

19 Silk-producing thus, involving elevated discharge (7)

21 The original grounds for betrayal (7)

22 Big game hosted by Blenheim Palace (6)

24 Raise mug at Philippine city (5)

26 Shepherd poet in Scottish 1st XV (4)