The new lock is preparing for his first Guinness Premiership clash for the club in Sunday's opener against Worcester.

Pundits and bookies are predicting a hard season for the National League One champions, with Saints third favourites for the drop with some turf accountants.

But Lobbe dismissed the critics and said: "I don't care what the papers write.

"We are very focused on what we do, we are going to work very hard. We are going to try to develop our game during the season, to make each game better and better. And we want to make our home very tough for the other teams."

Lobbe wants to turn Franklin's Gardens into a fortress, where teams fear to tread and to do that they need to start with a win over a Chris Latham-led Worcester.

"When I was with Sale I loved to play here because the supporters like rugby," said Lobbe. "But I think we are going to make it a tougher place to play here.

"I'm looking forward to starting off on the right foot on Sunday. We played well in the friendlies, but it's another thing to play like that on Sunday."

And Lobbe says Saints won't be relying on Carlos Spencer and co in the backs to get them the wins, they will be just as likely to turn to the ugly stuff to get the victory.

"I know Saints like to play the ball around, but sometimes you have to keep the ball or play not as spectacular for supporters," said Lobbe.

"Maybe we will kick the ball, or maybe the mauling or scrummaging is working, so we have to do what is most powerful for the team. You have to be smart to play rugby."

Lobbe has come to Saints with the aim of helping the club to the
top of the Premiership.

"It is a great club with a lot of history," said the Argentinian. "The supporters are great, the facilities are 10 out of 10. All you have to do is come here and concentrate on your training and give 100 per cent.

"Sale was a great four years, I won the Guinness Premiership and a cup, but I like new challenges, so I have come here to Northampton to put this club where they deserve to be, in the first position in the Premiership."