Six of the last seven tournaments have been won by an English team, and Sale have an added incentive this term in trying to become its first three-time winner.
With Sharks' Premiership play-off push also gathering momentum, skipper Jason White knows the importance of brushing aside Edgeley Park visitors Brive.
White said: "We've said we need to win every game this season in order to push on.
"We want to win some silverware, and the first opportunity for that is the Challenge Cup, as the final comes a week before the Premiership final.
"We are really focused on winning the game tomorrow (Friday) night.
"The Premiership is really hotting up now as we are just outside the play-offs, but the Challenge Cup is a competition we've won before and we want to repeat that this year."
England internationals Mark Cueto and Andrew Sheridan both return to the starting line-up as Sale target a victory that would secure an away semi-final against Bath or Leeds.
New Zealander Luke McAlister, meanwhile, moves to fly-half in place of Charlie Hodgson, whose wife gave birth two days ago. Hodgson will be on the bench.
Sharks rugby director Philippe Saint-Andre said: "This is a massive game for us, as success in this competition would give us a Heineken Cup place next season.
"I have had to rotate the squad, however, as this is the first of three games in 11 days for us."
Brive will be without England World Cup winners Ben Cohen and Steve Thompson for the trip to Stockport.
Cohen has been rested, while Thompson is nursing an ankle injury.
Elsewhere, Brive's ex-Saracens centre Ben Johnston (hamstring) misses out, while their former Llanelli Scarlets full-back Barry Davies joins Cohen in taking a breather.
The Challenge Cup quarter-finals conclude on Saturday when Bath host Leeds, Worcester entertain Montpellier and Newcastle - who could be without England backs Mathew Tait and Jamie Noon - host Castres.
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