Ashley-Jones sees Scarlet after nine years in lime green

Now the hunt is for a new head of physical performance after Ashley-Jones took up an opportunity with Welsh rugby club Scarlets.

His replacement could come from within, with the Raiders full of confidence their strength-and-conditioning staff were perfectly placed to see out the season.

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart said Ryan Clayton was looking after the conditioning work and Travis Ronaldson was in charge of their strength and nutrition.

"It was a wonderful opportunity for Nigel, who had spent nine year's at the club, to take this opportunity in Wales," Stuart said.

"Nigel left a lot of experience here with his staff. Our staff, they know how Nigel worked and we're still using a number of his programs.

"A credit to our staff that are back at HQ putting our program into work for our players that are not here with us and also for the strength-and-conditioning programs that we are implementing here at the Gold Coast .

"It comes from guys who have been working with Nigel and understand the programs we've been running."

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Ashley-Jones joined the Raiders with a background in English rugby league and rugby union, having also spent time in the English Premier League.

After nine years in Canberra, the Green Machine couldn't match the offer from the Scarlets.

He's already left for Wales with the Raiders rewarding his loyal service with an early release before the end of the season.

The Raiders are locked in a battle for the top eight, with a crucial clash against the Newcastle Knights at Lang Park on Saturday.

They're behind the seventh-placed Cronulla Sharks and eighth-placed St George Illawarra Dragons on points differential with just six rounds remaining.

They could've insisted Ashley-Jones see out the season, but were comfortable they had the staff in place to cover him.

Raiders chief executive Don Furner said they would look for a replacement at the end of the season.

A replacement who could come from within.

"He's got a job with a Welsh rugby union side. We're going through all that. We've got to get the season done first and then we'll get a replacement," Furner said.

"We did the right thing by Nige - he had an opportunity, we couldn't match it or the length of time.

"He's worked over there extensively so he's got this opportunity.

"We could've said, 'No, no you need to finish', but we didn't. We've got some really good people in place so they'll be right.

"Definitely [the replacement could come from within]. He's trained them up very well."

NRL ROUND 20

Saturday: Canberra Raiders v Newcastle Knights at Lang Park, 5.30pm.

Raiders squad: 1. Jordan Rapana, 2. Harley Smith-Shields, 3. Jarrod Croker, 4. Sebastian Kris, 5. Semi Valemei, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. Sam Williams, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Josh Hodgson, 10. Emre Guler, 11. Corey Harawira-Naera, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Hudson Young. Interchange: 14. Tom Starling, 15. Matthew Timoko, 16. Iosia Soliola, 17. Joseph Tapine. Reserves: 18. Matt Frawley, 19. Ryan James, 20. Bailey Simonsson, 21. Dunamis Lui.

Knights squad: 1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Enari Tuala, 3. Kurt Mann, 4. Bradman Best, 5. Hymel Hunt, 6. Phoenix Crossland, 7. Jake Clifford, 8. Jacob Saifiti, 9. Jayden Brailey, 10. Daniel Saifiti, 11. Tyson Frizell, 12. Mitchell Barnett, 13. Connor Watson. Interchange: 14. Sauaso Sue, 15. David Klemmer, 16. Josh King, 17. Brodie Jones. Reserves: 18. Jirah Momoisea, 19. Simi Sasagi, 20. Tex Hoy, 21. Mitchell Pearce.