FORMER Dragons tighthead prop Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro is returning to the Guinness PRO14 after signing for Benetton for next season, writes Chris Kirwan.

The Argentina prop is currently with Bristol after arriving on a short-term deal last month and made his first start in the Premiership win against Gloucester last weekend when forced off by a calf injury at Kingsholm.

Chaparro, who has won 54 caps for the Pumas, will move to Italy at the end of the current campaign.

Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam said: "We're pleased for Nahuel and his family to have the security to continue playing with Benetton Rugby in the Pro14 for the next three seasons.

“Although Nahuel joined us on a short term as cover for Kyle Sinckler, he has fitted in really well and, despite the unfortunate injury sustained last weekend, we are hoping he will be back before the end of the season.”

PUMA: Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro playing for the Dragons

PUMA: Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro playing for the Dragons

Chaparro was signed by Darren Edwards for the Dragons from Stade Francais in 2013/14 and made 18 appearances, 10 of them starts.

His final outing of a hit-and-miss campaign saw him red-carded for a tip tackle on Leinster’s Isaac Boss in Dublin when the clock was in the red (the penalty allowed the hosts to then deny the Dragons a losing bonus) and the Pumas forward was hit with a 10-week ban.

The prop, who at the time had three caps after making his Test debut aged 20 against Chile in 2010, was released from the final year of his contract by Lyn Jones, who made one of the Dragons’ best signings in South African prop Brok Harris.

Chaparro returned to play for La Plata, the amateur club in Buenos Aires where he first played the game, but headed back to Europe with Lyon in the Top 14 as injury cover.

He played for the Jaguares, Argentina’s Super Rugby franchise, and will now add Benetton to his CV.