Across
1
Rugby player lacking weight put in the shade? (9)
6
Words to live by, not initially arse-backwards (5)
9
Joe, for one, allowed a padded jacket (5)
10
Call for monsoon? Mumbai resident dropping one in a hurry (4,5)
11
Tigress, with ‘Yum!’, mauled grumbler (6,4)
12
Some charity, perhaps, would be kind (4)
14
Showed desire to embrace one in make-up? (7)
15
US lawyer ready to accept thanks for information (7)
17
A goal almost entirely securing first place in league, in general (2,5)
19
Duke’s decline largely involving unknown figure in French scandal (7)
20
Desire to lose, discarding diamonds (4)
22
Allowing style’s suitable, but not fine (10)
25
Pompous Unionist blocking a timid one, mostly? That’s of doubtful value (9)
26
Friend I’m backing to invest in a success (5)
27
Big noise in family group estranging nearly all? (5)
28
Drink in the past contributing to atmosphere in islands (9)