Parisse in action in Italy's 23-20 win over Wales last season. (Xinhua-Ansa Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    (ANSA) - Rome, December 31 - Italy and Stade Francais back-row forward Sergio Parisse has been named Player of the Year in an annual poll organised by the Il Gazzettino newspaper.

    With 29 votes from the coaches of Italy's Super 10 league, the Italo-Argentinian Parisse beat Benetton Treviso fly half Marius Goosen who earned 18 nods.

    Parisse's club and international teammate, flanker Mauro Bergamasco, came third with 15 votes.

    The 6ft 5 inch, 230-pound no.8, who was born in Argentina in 1983, is considered one of the most effective back rowers in the world, whether winning the ball at the line-out or surging through opposition ranks.

    He was a key element in the Italian side that scored its best-ever display in last year's Six Nations, winning two games on the bounce, against Scotland and Wales.

    Parisse was also outstanding during the recent World Cup, where Italy narrowly failed to make it through to the quarter-finals for the first time.

    Parisse and Bergamasco, who won the French championship with Stade Francais this year, are vying to become Italy's captain under new coach Nick Mallett, sources at the Italian Rugby Federation said.

    Former South Africa coach Mallett will reveal his choice at the end of January before Italy fly to Dublin for their Six Nations 2008 debut against Ireland on February 2.

    Parisse is no stranger to the limelight and has posed in a series of revealing pictures for a rugby calendar.

    He is currently dating Miss France 2006/Miss Europe 2006 Alexandra Rosenfeld.