Owen scored Wales’ opening try against Ireland and he said: “It’s disappointing because no one wants to lose. We really wanted to put a performance out there to bounce back from the Scotland week and we did do that.
“We pushed the Grand Slam winners in Ireland – who have beaten everyone – all the way to the end. I’m proud of the boys and we can kick on now towards the World Cup because there is still a lot for us to improve on.
“Against Scotland we were slow out of the blocks but in the Ireland game we started well. There were a couple of moments where we could have won the game in the second half, but credit to Ireland they were very good.”
Wales produced an impressive first-half display to lead 10-7 at the break.
Williams’ side had looked in control thanks to Owen’s effort and the boot of Cai Evans before a converted try from Jonathan Wren and Ben Healy’s conversion gave Ireland a way back in right on the half-time whistle.
In the second period Wales were still very much in the contest, but Dylan Tierney-Martin’s fifth try of the championship gave them hope.
Wales responded through Jac Morgan, but Ireland substitute Colm Reilly came up trumps with the game’s vital score with seven minutes to play and Tom Clarkson made the game safe.
Owen said: “It’s always good to cross the line as I don’t do it very often. For 39 minutes of the first half we played really well and in the last minute we gave Ireland a turnover which let them go the length of the field to score.
“We wanted to keep the energy high in the second half and we feel we could have won the game.”
Wales now look ahead to the World Rugby U20 Championship in June where they face hosts Argentina, France and Fiji in Pool A.
“Hopefully come the World Cup we can make the tight games – like the ones we’ve had against France and Ireland in the Six Nations – go our way,” Owen said.
“A lot of the boys are new to Under 20 level this season and this Six Nations has given us all confidence we can test ourselves against the best. We will look forward to the World Cup now.”
