Bath Rugby's new artificial training pitch is helping the side stay fresh and strong during the boggy winter months, say the players and director of rugby Sir Ian McGeechan.

The half-size 3G pitch at the club's Farleigh House headquarters is being used by the Bath squad after the grass pitch there and the second- choice training site at Lambridge became waterlogged.

The squad initially moved from Farleigh's grass pitch to Lambridge after the former struggled to drain properly.

Then, when Lambridge became similarly heavy underfoot, the coaches took the decision to move training to the 3G pitch.

The artificial pitch had initially been conceived as a training base for when the grass pitches froze over but McGeechan says it has come into its own over the past week-and-a-half.

He believes it partly explains Bath's strong, energetic showing against London Irish on New Year's Day.

"Last week we decided that, although we could have stayed at Lambridge, we would go for the 3G," said McGeechan yesterday.

"The reaction from the players was immediate. They felt as though they had a lot left in their legs because they were running on top of the surface. Sessions were quicker and more accurate.

"There's no doubt, I think, that training on the 3G was one of the factors that allowed us to go into the [Irish] game with such a good feeling about us.

"The 3G pitch was always there for the worst parts of the winter. Having made the call with the pitches in the condition that they are at the moment, it's helped us immensely.

"This time last year the grounds were frozen and everything was much harder.

"This year, with the mild weather, all the water is just sitting on the pitches. Lambridge is very heavy and the players said it was taking a lot out of their legs.

"They felt tired after sessions because it was such a heavy pitch, and it was the same here at Farleigh on the grass pitch."

Moving the sessions to the artificial pitch has received the thumbs up from players. Prop Anthony Perenise described the surface as a 'real asset', while Nick Abendanon said: "It's a great surface to have. The guys are loving it at the moment.

"It's soft, quick and doesn't take as much out of your legs as running around on a boggy field. It allows you to keep speed and tempo.

"Having trained on it seemed to work alright at the weekend, so we'll stick at it."

There is also positivity among the Bath camp over an improving injury situation.

Lee Mears (bicep) and Pieter Dixon (Achilles) are both due back before Heineken Cup action resumes, while Carl Fearns (knee) and Lewis Moody (shoulder) are set to return in early February.

"On the injury front it's looking more encouraging," explained McGeechan.

"Mearsy is training full-time now and he'll be in the mix for Montpellier, Dixey is back in full training and is available this week, and Carl Fearns is four to five weeks off playing. Lewis is about five weeks off.

"Having the right players fit makes a big difference. If we can keep that going I still think we'll be having a say at the top end of the table but we've got to keep pushing ourselves and not compromise."

Bath head to Vicarage Road on Sunday nine points adrift of the play-off zone. They play a Saracens side who have lost just once at home since Bath beat them there in February 2010.

"We know we've got to deliver again," said McGeechan. "Sarries are a good side – well-organised and they haven't lost at home for goodness knows how long. We've got to put everything out there.

"It will be nip and tuck. You know with these sorts of side that it's two points here, one point there. Throughout the game we want to have that edge that will keep the scoreboard moving and then be in a position to win the game at the end."