NEWPORT Gwent Dragons full back Sione Tuipulotu can't wait to get back into rugby action after a nightmare three months which threatened his return to this country.

The Tongan international has spent all that time obtaining work and travel permits and visas from the British and Tongan authorities to enable him and his family to return to their Blackwood home.

And his quest to return to play for the Dragons in the Celtic League and Heineken Cup has meant his travelling around 41,000 miles after his wife and daughter were initially refused entry to Britain.

"It's been a nightmare," admitted the 27-year-old Tongan international, "and I have to thank Newport team manager Jim McCreedy for all his help in sorting out the situation.

"I'm just relieved to be back training with my team-mates and looking forward to playing again, though I know that won't be easy now what with the competition for places and the fact that I have missed all the pre-season training and build-up."

The problems began in June when Tuipulotu tried to return with his wife Glenda and baby daughter Sisilia to Britain after a visit to see family in New Zealand.

The trio were refused entry at Heathrow Airport because they did not have the correct documentation, but were allowed to stay for four days before having to return to New Zealand.

Immediately McCreedy was called in to help sort out the problem, which also involved Tuipulotu's work permit, while the player also had to return to his Tonga birth place to sort out travel visas.

"When we had previously entered Britain in 2001 we had the correct documents and there was no problem," said Tuipulotu.

"But the entry rules had changed and we were not aware of this, so when we tried to come back into the country this time they said we couldn't."

After staying for four days with brother Manu, who plays for Ebbw Vale, the family had to head back across the world while the problem was resolved.

The confusion took three months and numerous delays to sort out as government departments have to make many inquiries and things are slow moving.

But the family eventually arrived back in Wales early last week on new two-year entry visas and now the player is busy trying to recapture fitness and catch up with new Dragons coach Chris Anderson's moves and plans.

"We stayed with my parents in Auckland," said Tuipulotu, "and I tried to keep as fit as I could training with the Auckland Maoris.

"There is a lot to catch up on and I have had to do a lot of work on my own in the past week to try to catch up on fitness levels.

"It will be hard for me now because of the competition (Wales international Kevin Morgan having joined in his absence), but competition is good for the club and I'm just happy to put the past few months behind me and start playing rugby again."