In which one may see a hooker face controversy (5,3)
I believe the answer is:
front row
'in which one may see a hooker' is the definition.
(as in a rugby hooker in the front row of a scrum)
'face controversy' is the wordplay.
'face' becomes 'front' (fronting is a kind of facing).
'controversy' becomes 'row' (both can mean a dispute).
'front'+'row'='FRONT ROW'
(Other definitions for front row that I've seen before include "... line of rugby forwards" , "Section of a scrum" , "In which one may see 16 [LOOSE HEAD]" , "Seats nearest the stage" .)