Wayne Pivac’s side saw their Grand Slam dreams ended by a dramatic, last-gasp 32-30 defeat by France in Paris.
It meant Wales fell just short of a Championship clean sweep, although they could still lift the title this weekend.
France will have to beat Scotland on Friday by 21 points or more and score four tries in the process to beat Wales to the crown.
Hooker Owens has been in sensational form in recent weeks.
A reminder of how the table stands! 👀 #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/ILhE64xwFZ
— Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) March 22, 2021
Owens said: “We just need to build from this now.
“The longer term plan is the 2023 World Cup and obviously experiences like this will benefit the squad.
“We’ve got to learn from these occasions and make the best out of it. We need to use it as a massive stepping stone looking forward to the future.
“It’s hugely frustrating. I suppose we have to settle for second best now which is the Championship and it is what it is.
“We had our opportunities and didn’t take them so now we just have to hope Scotland have a big performance against France on Friday night. Hopefully we can pick up some silverware.
“Obviously there are issues around Covid and some boys will have to go back to England, but we’ll just have to see how the week pans out and go from there.
“Hopefully we can get together and watch it and lift a trophy.
“We’ll see if we pick up the Championship, but hopefully we can have a couple of beers on Saturday to celebrate.
“We’ll wait and see, but it’s just frustrating we had it all in our control and could have decided our own destiny, but didn’t do it.”
Ken Owens shows his disappointment after the defeat by France
We had our opportunities and didn’t take them so now we just have to hope Scotland have a big performance against France on Friday night. Hopefully we can pick up some silverware
Whatever happens in the game between France and Scotland and the resulting impact it has on the title destination, Wales’ progress in this Six Nations has been significant.
They crossed for a Welsh Championship record of 20 tries across their five matches, scoring 164 points.
Owens said: “No-one gave us a chance coming up against what is perhaps the best French side of the last 10 years. Everybody said France were the best side in the world.
“The autumn was what it was and the coaches spoke about it being a developmental tool to give players opportunities. We’ve really grown from last year’s Six Nations and the autumn.
“It’s definitely a massive stride forward in terms of looking forward to the future for Welsh rugby.
“We’re happy with our performances and the turnaround in this Six Nations, but on the same hand and at the end of the day, we’re here to win rugby matches and Championships.
“That’s why we all play the game and we’re hugely disappointed.”
We’ve really grown from last year’s Six Nations and the autumn. It’s definitely a massive stride forward in terms of looking forward to the future for Welsh rugby
