Brett Sheehan’s long wait for a Wallabies’ Test start ended cruelly when forced from the field early by an ankle injury against Italy but signs are promising the halfback’s European tour is not over.

Sheehan made his run-on start for Australia in the 22-19 win over Italy in Florence on Saturday (Sunday AEDT) six years after making his debut for the Wallabies.

The 33-year-old made a solid start as Australia began well before 126kg Italian lock Quintin Geldenhuys landed on his left leg, forcing him off in the 31st minute.

Sheehan, who was playing his seventh Test, attempted to run the injury off before he was assisted from the ground and given a sincere applause from the crowd at Stadio Artemio Franchi.

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans was hopeful Sheehan will be right to play some part next weekend against Wales in the final game of the four-Test tour in Cardiff.

“The physios have looked at him already…there’s some hope that he’ll be fine,” he said.

Deans applauded Sheehan for his effort.

“He was doing very well out there. I thought he was doing a great job for us. It’s a real shame,” Deans said.

“He didn’t want to come off as we could all see. He tried to run it off, but you’d expect that from Brett.”