Bond brought in to smite the rotters (6)
I believe the answer is:
tether
'bond' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'in to smite the rotters' is the wordplay.
'in' indicates a hidden word.
'TETHER' can be found hidden inside 'smite the rotters'.
'brought' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for tether that I've seen before include "Rope to secure animal" , "Rope to hobble a horse" , "Rope to fasten grazing animal" , "Rope securing animal" , "lead" .)