I actually think the interesting comparison with Catalans would be Cornwall.
The latter takes longer and is harder to get to (direct flights at a minimum). Yet its in England so you can't use the "no broadcast money" argument.
Despite that, they have been asked to sit out a competition all of their peers have entered - this is the attitude at the heart of it. English RL clubs are used to, from 100 years of history, a competition that involves an average of up to 2 to 3 hours each way (4 for the rare Cumbrian trips) coaches every week. We don't do internal flights, nor do we do European games. Culturally the game isn't on that level and it feels alien.