Across
Perhaps Finn Russell finally with a strategy backing left-winger (9)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
Final letter of [russel] L + A PLAN (a strategy), then RED (slang for communist = left-winger) reversed (backing). For the surface, Finn Russell plays rugby for Bath and Scotland. The region of Lapland covers parts of both Finland and Sweden, hence “perhaps”.
Must rank male as dumb (5)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
Anagram (rank = awful) of MUST , then M (abbreviation for male). Dumb = silent, not speaking; stumm is a German word assimilated into English, and also Yiddish with various spellings.
Lydia's boss folds, some might say (7)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
Sound-alike, or not, depending on your pronunciation (some might say) of CREASES = folds. Greek name for the legendary, and very rich, king of Lydia in Asia Minor.
Investigation is anti-Google? (7)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
Whimsical definition: Bing is a web search engine from Microsoft, so those who don’t like Google may be PRO-BING .
Trim bit of hair down below (5)
Escort's timeless opening lines (9)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
CHAP [t] ER ONE (the opening lines of a book), without the T (abbreviation for time).
Section of graph provided by cycling coach (3)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
CAR (coach = train carriage), with the letters “cycling” to put the C at the end.
Hobo with ordinary make-up becomes bouncer (11)
Maybe Nightingale tires novice out (11)
At last, Carse removed from long leg (3)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
PIN [e] (as a verb = long = yearn), without the E which is the last letter of [cars]E. For those who don’t follow cricket, Brydon Carse plays for Durham and England, and “long leg” is a fielding position near the boundary.
Clip of mountaineer's nurse hiding a receptacle for rubbish (9)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
CARER (nurse), containing A BIN (a receptacle for rubbish). Reminds me of a slightly pompous headmaster who always told us “deposit your refuse in the receptacle provided”. Metal loop with a spring clip, used by climbers to attach equipment to a rope or harness.
Cryptically, nostril can provide loophole? (5)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
Cryptically, a nostril is an O (hole) in the NOSE . Noose = a rope tied into a loop, which might loosely be described as a loop-hole.
Old isolationist is Unionist sleeper (7)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
U (abbreviation for Unionist) + KIPPER (kip, as a verb = slang for sleep). Term for someone in favour of Britain’s exit from the EU, as advocated by the UK Independence Party. I’m not sure about “old” because the party still exists, though in much reduced circumstances.
The tiniest component in any make-up (7)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
ATOM (the tiniest component) in ANY .
Almost ready to hold walk (5)
Therapy course in central England admitting wayward mate (9)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
TRENT (a river = watercourse, in the North Midlands of England), containing an anagram (wayward) of MATE .
Down
Missing peer found in toilet, reportedly, with John (5)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
Sound-alike (reportedly) of LOO (toilet), then CAN (john = slang for toilet). The 7th Earl of Lucan: he disappeared in 1974, suspected of murder and attempted murder, and was never found.
Dull specialists are in charge (7)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
PROS (short for professionals = specialists) + A (abbreviation for are = a unit of area, more often multiplied into hectares) + IC (abbreviation for in charge).
Fine anagram cheat site (9)
After evacuating, double second helping is sacrilege (11)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
D [oubl] E with the inner letters emptied out (after evacuating) + SEC (abbreviation for second) + RATION (helping = a measured serving of food).
Boosting standard in some music (3)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
PAR (standard, as in golf scoring) reversed (boosting = upwards in a down clue). A type of music, if that’s your taste.
Declared part of wheel (5)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
Double definition. Said something out loud; or a rod connecting the rim of a wheel to the hub.
Fancy coin in vessel that only exists in legends (7)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
Anagram (fancy) of COIN , in URN (vessel).
Microwave manufacturer is not German, surprisingly (9)
Right pocket (11)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
Double definition. As an adjective = correct or suitable; or as a verb = to take for oneself.
A drink date leads to battle (9)
I tie in-law up and hide (3,2,4)
Submissive addict loses uniform? Very bad (7)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
[u] SER (short for drug user = addict) without U (Uniform in the radio alphabet), then VILE (very bad).
Justify receiving fine for incense (7)
Man possibly tender taking exercise (5)
Eccentric type welcomes German nation (5)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
Anagram (eccentric) of TYPE , containing G (abbreviation for German, as in the old GDR).
Traitor found in crater (3)
Type letters or click words in the clue