The 1996 Five Nations Championship was the 117th edition of the annual rugby union tournament featuring five European teams: England, France, Ireland, Italy, and Wales. The tournament took place from February 3 to March 16, 1996, and was played in a round-robin format, with each team competing against the others. England emerged as the champions, winning the title for the first time since 1992. They secured the championship by finishing with four victories and one draw, earning a total of 9 points. The tournament was notable for its competitive matches and showcased the growing popularity of rugby union in Europe.