NEWPORT Gwent Dragons have released Argentinean tighthead prop Francisco Chaparro, writes Chris Kirwan.

The 24-year-old prop has returned home after reaching a settlement to end his contract, which had another season to run.

Chaparro's last game for the Dragons was the 31-19 loss to Leinster in Dublin when he was red-carded for dropping scrum-half Isaac Boss on his neck when clearing out a ruck in the closing stages.

The three-times capped Pumas prop was slapped with a 10-week ban and his 18th appearance for the region was his last.

Chaparro was signed by the Dragons last summer from Stade Francais but failed to shore up their struggling scrum.

His suspension led to the region tempting Duncan Bell out of retirement and the 39-year-old mortgage adviser, whose work commitments mean he doesn't train full-time, has become first-choice tighthead.

Director of rugby Lyn Jones, who was not at the helm when Chaparro put pen to paper, has replaced the Argentine with 29-year-old former Leicester, Gloucester and Edinburgh prop David Young for next season.