FORMER Springboks back Zane Kirchner has left the Dragons on loan to cover for the most expensive player in the English Premiership at Bristol.

The 34-year-old has moved to the west country on an initial month-long deal and will bolster Pat Lam's squad on their return to the top flight.

Bristol, expected by most to have a battle against the drop despite spending heavily, started the season with a shock win against Bath at Ashton Gate, were beaten at Saracens in round two and travel to Gloucester on Friday.

The Bears have started life back in the Premiership without New Zealand full-back Charles Piutau, reportedly the highest paid player in the league.

The All Black, who headed for Bristol from Ulster, suffered a shoulder injury in pre-season and is targeting a return at the end of October.

That has prompted Lam to turn to Kirchner, who has fallen down the pecking order at the Dragons.

He goes in the opposite direction to American centre Thretton Palamo, who headed to Newport on a short-term deal to cover for injuries last September only to break his foot on his second appearance.

Kirchner was signed by Kingsley Jones from Leinster in 2017 and made 13 appearances in his first campaign at Rodney Parade.

The veteran won all but one of his 31 caps for the Springboks in the back three but after starting at full-back for the Dragons – and suffering a dislocated shoulder against Connacht in his third outing – he returned at fly-half and also made a couple of appearances in midfield.

He returned late from South Africa this pre-season because of visa issues and has fallen down the pecking order with Jordan Williams, a summer recruit from Bristol, getting the nod at 15 in the opening two rounds.

Kirchner got game time at outside centre for the Dragons A in their friendly victory against an Ospreys Development side at the start of the month and head coach Bernard Jackman believes a short spell in the Premiership will sharpen up his utility back.

"We are very lucky to have a great relationship with Bristol and Pat Lam and the opportunity for Zane to go into their environment and get some game time is a positive solution for all parties," said Jackman.

"We look forward to seeing how Zane goes in the English competition and wish him well during his time with the Bears."

Denied the services of Piutau, Luke Daniels and Matt Protheroe through injury, Lam is pleased to have bolstered his ranks with the South African, who has a year to run on his Dragons deal.

"With three of our first team fullbacks recovering from injury, it was important to add a player of Zane's ability and international experience on a short-term basis as we prepare for the tough challenges ahead," said the former Connacht boss.

"Zane has played for some of the top clubs in world rugby and will slot in quickly. We're grateful to Bernard Jackman and Dragons for their co-operation in the process."