The 1996–97 Pilkington Cup was the 26th edition of England's premier rugby union club competition. Leicester won the competition defeating Sale in the final. The event was sponsored by

Pilkington Pilkington is a Japanese-owned glass-manufacturing company which is based in Lathom, Lancashire, United Kingdom. In the UK it includes several legal entities and is a subsidiary of Japanese company NSG Group. Prior to its acquisition by NSG ...

and the final was held at

Twickenham Stadium Twickenham Stadium () in Twickenham, south-west London, England, is a rugby union stadium owned by the Rugby Football Union (RFU), English rugby union governing body, which has its headquarters there. The England national rugby union team plays ...

Draw and results

First round (Sep 14)

Second round (Oct 12)

Progressed to next round by virtue of scoring more tries*

Third round (Nov 2)

Fourth round (Dec 21 & 22)

Fifth round (Jan 25 & 26)

Quarter-finals (Feb 22 & 23)

Semi-finals (Mar 29)

Final

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pilkington Cup 1996-97 1996–97 rugby union tournaments for clubs 1996–97 in English rugby union