Rugby forward is comic character (6)
I believe the answer is:
rupert
'comic character' is the definition.
(Rupert the bear)
'rugby forward' is the wordplay.
'rugby' becomes 'RU'.
'forward' becomes 'pert' (I've seen this before).
'ru'+'pert'='RUPERT'
'is' is the link.
(Other definitions for rupert that I've seen before include "Comic strip bear" , "Mary Tourtel's bear" , "Cartoon strip bear" , "Boy" , "chap" .)