1996–97 Courage League National Division One

The 1996–97 Courage League National Division One was the tenth season of the first tier of the English league system, currently known as the Gallagher Premiership. Due to restructuring at the end of the previous season, the league had been increased from 10 to 12 teams. Bath were the defending champions and London Irish and Northampton Saints the promoted teams. It was the tenth and final season of sponsorship by Courage.

Each team played each other twice, in a round robin system. The reorganisation of the Courage National League One to Allied Dunbar Premiership One for the 1997–98 season meant that there would be between 2 and 4 sides relegated from the division into the new look Allied Dunbar Premiership Two. Sides finishing 11th and 12th would be automatically relegated while sides finishing 9th and 10th would be involved in a promotion/relegation playoff against the 3rd and 4th ranked sides from 1995–96 Courage League National Division Two with 9th v 4th and 10th v 3rd.

Wasps finished as champions for the second time, six points clear of defending champions Bath. Bottom two clubs West Hartlepool and Orrell were relegated to the 1997–98 Allied Dunbar Premiership Two while Bristol and London Irish would remain in the division having won their respective playoff games.